ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s youth girls’ netball team booked their place in the semi-finals of the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025 with a thrilling 49-39 victory over the Maldives on Tuesday.
The match, held at Jeonju Hwasan Gymnasium in South Korea, saw the Green Shirts fight hard in their fifth group-stage game to secure a crucial win.
Pakistan took an early lead of 14-12 by the end of the first quarter but found themselves trailing narrowly at halftime, 24-26.
Yet, the team’s resilience shone through as they clawed back to edge ahead 35-32 in the third quarter, before unleashing a powerful final surge to seal a memorable victory.
Standout players Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, Sumayya Kouser, Haleema, Jasmine Farooq, and Farah Rasheed showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, driving Pakistan’s success on the court.
Their performances drew praise from the Pakistan Netball Federation’s Chairman Mudassar Arian, President Sameen Malik, and Secretary General Muhammad Riaz, who warmly congratulated the team on their impressive feat and advancement.
With this victory, Pakistan topped Group B and is set to face a formidable Japanese side in the semi-final showdown scheduled for Thursday, July 3.
The championship’s new format, introduced by the Asian Netball Federation, pits the top four teams from both Group A (Gold Cup Division) and Group B (Plate Cup Division) against each other in the semis, where the highest-ranked team faces the fourth, and the second clashes with the third.
Pakistan defeated Maldives by 49-39 goals to register their fifth consecutive win in the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship in South Korea! 🇵🇰👏
Pakistan will play semi final against Japan on Thursday, July 3. pic.twitter.com/FXKhDUbjwj
— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) July 1, 2025
This year’s tournament, featuring eleven nations and running from June 27 to July 4, has seen fierce competition among powerhouses such as Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and India in Group A, while Group B includes Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Maldives, and Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan’s journey through the championship has been nothing short of spectacular. The team stormed out of the gate with a dominant 71-15 win against Saudi Arabia, followed by a confident 56-32 victory over Chinese Taipei.
Their momentum only grew as they dismantled hosts South Korea 91-6 in the third match and outplayed Japan 79-39 in the fourth.
As Pakistan gears up to face Japan in the semi-finals, hopes are high that this talented squad will continue their inspiring run and bring glory to the nation on the continental stage.
