ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will face off against archrivals India in the final of the 2nd Asian Men’s Netball Championship in Malaysia on Sunday (tomorrow). Pakistan qualified for the final after defeating Singapore 75-63 during the semi-final on Saturday. On the other hand, India qualified after defeating hosts Malaysia 47-44. Interestingly, Pakistan defeated traditional rivals India 70-41 in the round-robin matches of the tournament, which kicked off on Wednesday. Pakistan remain undefeated in the tournament and scored the most goals after the round-robin matches. The 15-member netball squad of Pakistan comprises Mohammad Akhtar (captain), Samad Masood (vice-captain), Ali Raza Fareed, Usman Bashir, Mohammad Khursheed, Mehboob Shah, Rana Zahid Khan, Yawar Khan, Abid Ali Ansari, Masoom Abbass, Haris Kamal, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseeb Raza, Mohammad Zohair (reserve). Anwar Ahmed Ansari is the team’s coach Yasir Ahmed is the assistant coach. Pakistan had won the silver medal in the First Asian Men’s Netball Championship 2016. Hosts Malaysia defeated Pakistan 35-34 in a close competition, which was held at Dewan Serbaguna Complex Quarters, Kuala Lumpur, last year.
Published in Daily Times, December 17th 2017.