COLOMBO: Pakistan’s wheelchair tennis team fell short in the semi-finals, losing 3-0 to Iraq at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Asian Qualification event on Friday

In the deciding semifinal tie, Iraq’s Muhammad Hameed, ranked 248 in the world, dominated Pakistan’s Fida Hussain 6-1, 6-2 in the opening singles match.

The second singles match saw Iraq’s Hussain Hamid, a former world No. 5 junior and current world No. 77, overwhelm Asif Abbasi 6-0, 6-1.

Iraq sealed the tie with a commanding doubles performance, as Naser Mehdi and Hameed blanked Pakistan’s Ihsanullah Khan and Fida 6-0, 6-0.

Pakistan had reached the semi-final by defeating India in a rain-delayed doubles match 6-3, 6-2.

The team now face Iran in the third-place playoff while Japan play Iraq the final.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2025