National champion Palwasha Bashir (pictured) and Sara Khan lost their first match in the qualifying round of the women singles to China's Xuerui Li (21-6, 21-6) and India's Thulasi P.C (21-17 and 21-12) respectively. -Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD Pakistan women's badminton team was eliminated from the ongoing Asian Badminton Championship, being played in New Delhi, India after stumbling in the qualifying round of the event which ends on April 18.

National champion Palwasha Bashir and Sara Khan lost their first match in the qualifying round of the women singles to China's Xuerui Li (21-6, 21-6) and India's Thulasi P.C (21-17 and 21-12) respectively.

According to coach Raziuddin Ahmed the Pakistani team just did not seem capable enough to handle the pressure of an international tournament and recommended more foreign tours for the players.

The performance of Pakistan men's singles team was also below par. Wajid Ali won the qualifying round against Afghanistan's Burhanuddin Mir Aman Khan by 21-8, 21-7 and Bangladesh's Anayet Ullah 21-10, 21-11 but met defeat in the first match of the main round against Bonsak Ponsana of Thailand by 21-16, 21-14.

Umer Zeeshan also could not prove his selection right as he too faced defeat in first match of the main round against Ha Ahn Lee of Vietnam by 21- 16, 19-21 & 21-15.

The pair of Wajid Ali and Umer Zeeshan also could not qualify for the main round of the championship in doubles event as they lost to Yong Zhao Ashton Chen and Ziliang Derek Wong of Singaporeby 21- 15 21-17 in their first match.

The only hope for Pakistan now are Rizwan Azam and Kashif Sulehri, who won the qualifying round of men's doubles after beating Maldives's Ajfan Rasheedand and Sharafuddin Nasheeu by 21-13, 21-15 and Afghan pair Burhanuddin Mir Aman Khanand and Mohammad Abid Alim 21-9,21-6. They will face their Sri Lankan rivals Niluka and Dinuka in the first round tomorrow.