Pak colts reach South Asia Regional Qualifier semis

KARACHI: Despite losing their tie against hosts Nepal, Pakistan’s youngsters qualified for the semi-finals of South Asia Regional Qualifying Event (Under-12) in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday.

Pakistan will face Nepal in the first semi-final and India will play against Sri Lanka in the second semi-final on Thursday (today).According to information made available here, Pakistan’s youth team had earlier defeated Bhutan 3-0. Bilal Asim blanked Jigme Pema Namgyel 6-0, 6-0. M Huzaifa Khan also recorded an immaculate 6-0, 6-0 win over Tashi Nema Tshering. Hamid Israr and Bilal Asim also won their dead rubber doubles match against Sherab Gyeltshen and Jigme Pema Namgyel 6-1, 6-0.

However, Pakistan lost their tie against Nepal 2-1. Aki Zuben Rawat defeated Bilal Asim 6-2, 6-2 to take a 1-0 lead, but Hamid Israr levelled the arrears by beating Aarav Samrat Hada 6-2, 6-3.In the decisive third match, Aki Zuben Rawat and Aarav Samrat Hada teamed up to beat M Huzaifa Khan and Bilal Asim 6-0, 6-1.