Pakistan Advances to Asian Beach Handball Championship Semi-Final

Pakistan has earned a spot in the semi-final of the 10th Asian Beach Handball Championship after a challenging quarter-final match against Saudi Arabia, held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. Out of five matches played, Pakistan emerged victorious in three and faced defeat in two.

The Pakistani team initiated the match with great momentum, securing the first set convincingly with a score of 17-4.

However, Saudi Arabia retaliated strongly in the second set, claiming a 14-6 victory and pushing the match into a decisive penalty shootout.

In the tense shootout, Pakistan maintained composure, narrowly defeating Saudi Arabia with an 8-4 score, thus progressing to the final four.

This triumph marks Pakistan’s third victory in the tournament, following earlier wins against the Philippines and India during the league stage.

Dominant Victory Against India

On May 9, Pakistan showcased exceptional performance against India, securing victories in both sets with scores of 36-7 and 34-6, respectively.

The championship also holds significance as a qualifying event for the 2026 Beach Handball World Championship.

Context of India-Pakistan Match

The high-stakes match between Pakistan and India occurred amidst existing political tensions. Reports indicated that the Indian team considered boycotting the match due to potential repercussions back home.

Ultimately, the Indian team participated after warnings from the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) and the International Handball Federation (IHF) regarding possible suspension and financial penalties for non-participation.

As a sign of protest, Indian players wore black armbands during the match. The AHF reportedly instructed Indian officials to remove the armbands to avoid potential disciplinary measures. Despite the controversy, the match proceeded, with Pakistan achieving a decisive win.

The tournament is scheduled to continue until May 15, raising the possibility of another India-Pakistan match if both teams continue to advance.

However, Indian officials have suggested that they might withdraw from any future matches against Pakistan unless they receive explicit instructions from their government.