Pakistan Wins Historic Silver Medal at ITF Masters World Team Championships
Lisbon, Portugal – 7 August 2026: Pakistan concluded a memorable campaign at the ITF Masters World Team Championships by claiming the silver medal in the 45+ age category after a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to tournament favourites and top seeds Spain in the championship final.
The deciding contest came in the second singles, where Aqeel Khan was defeated 6-4, 6-2 by Spain’s Francisco Javier Martinez Baena in a clash between two of the tournament’s top players. Aqeel entered the final after an exceptional week, having produced a string of outstanding victories in both singles and doubles alongside Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. After several consecutive days of demanding, high-intensity matches, fatigue proved to be a significant factor against a fresh and formidable Spanish team.
Pakistan’s run to the final included impressive victories over USA, Canada, host nation Portugal, and Sweden, earning the team a well-deserved place on the championship podium.
The medal ceremony, held with great fanfare at the Jamor Tennis Centre, saw Pakistan receive the silver medals and runners-up trophy from the President of the International Tennis Federation and the President of the Portuguese Tennis Federation. The ceremony was also attended by Paulo Domingues, Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, whose presence was warmly appreciated by the Pakistani team.
Among more than 30 participating nations and over 300 players, Pakistan finished as the only Asian nation to win a medal, highlighting the country’s growing strength in international Masters tennis.
Following the ceremony, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the team’s successful campaign.
“This has been an unforgettable week for Pakistan tennis. I want to congratulate my teammates Aqeel Khan, Shehryar Salamat, and Hadi Hussain for their commitment, professionalism, and outstanding teamwork throughout the championship. Every member of the squad played an important role in helping us reach the final.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to our sponsors—Lama Retail, SICAS Schools, Tablevelics, and Faizan Steel—whose generous support made our participation possible. A special thank you goes to the Pakistani media, who followed the tournament throughout the week and consistently kept the public informed through regular match reports, photographs, and video coverage. We are equally grateful to all our supporters in Pakistan and abroad whose encouragement meant so much to the team.
Finally, I would like to thank His Excellency Paulo Domingues, Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, for attending the closing medal ceremony and for his support and encouragement throughout our stay in Portugal. Gestures like these strengthen the friendship between our two countries and meant a great deal to our team.”
The silver medal marks Pakistan’s finest-ever finish at the ITF Masters World Team Championships and is a fitting reward for a team whose resilience, sportsmanship, and unity earned widespread respect throughout the tournament.
