Pakistan opened their Billie Jean King Cup campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bahrain on Wednesday, making a winning start to the country’s first time hosting the international women’s team tennis competition. The tie was played at the Pakistan Tennis Federation Tennis Complex in Islamabad.
Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi led the hosts to victory with dominant singles performances before teaming up to complete the clean sweep in the doubles. Suhail defeated Hajar Zaidan 6-0, 6-0, while Qureshi beat Gharam Alkhayat by the same scoreline.
The pair then joined forces in the doubles rubber, defeating Eman Alzaimoor and Zaidan 6-1, 6-0 to seal Pakistan’s opening-day win without dropping a set.
PTF president Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and secretary general Colonel Zia-ud-Din Tufail praised the players for their performances and expressed confidence in the team’s prospects as the competition continues.
Pakistan Bahrain BJK Cup tie sets the tone
The result is exactly the start Pakistan wanted as host nation. The Asia/Oceania Group III event runs from October 21 to 24, with eight nations divided into two groups. A 3-0 sweep in the opener puts Pakistan in a strong position in Group A and gives the young team momentum for the tougher ties ahead.
The win also carries symbolic weight. Pakistan is hosting the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time, as we reported in our BJK Cup hosting coverage, and the opening ceremony drew contingents from all eight participating nations. Winning the first tie in front of home supporters validates the federation’s push to bring the event to Islamabad.
Elsewhere on the opening day, the Maldives began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Bhutan. Keyara Usama Ali defeated Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo 6-1, 6-0, while Aishath Karin Saizan beat Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden 6-0, 6-1, and the Maldivian pair completed the sweep in the doubles.
Iran defeated Kuwait 3-0, with Hana Soltani beating Huda Aldabbous 6-2, 6-0 and Kimia Sagheb Tehrani defeating Sumou Aldabbous 6-0, 6-0. Meshkatolzahra Safi and Yasaman Yazdani finished the job with a 6-0, 6-2 doubles win over the Aldabbous sisters. In the remaining tie, Jordan edged Qatar 2-1 after Ana Abualhaj recovered from a set down to defeat Dana Khalifa 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, and Noor Sayej beat Mubaraka Al Naimi 7-5, 6-0. Qatar took the doubles through Hinda Al Mudahka and Khadija Gassama.
The result adds to a positive week for Pakistani sport, coming a day after Arafat Minhas starred in Pakistan’s tri-series win over England and Pakistan climbed to fourth in the ICC ODI rankings.
FAQ
Who won Pakistan’s matches against Bahrain?
Ushna Suhail beat Hajar Zaidan 6-0, 6-0 and Mahin Aftab Qureshi beat Gharam Alkhayat 6-0, 6-0 in the singles. The pair then won the doubles 6-1, 6-0 against Eman Alzaimoor and Zaidan.
What is the Billie Jean King Cup?
The Billie Jean King Cup is the premier international women’s team tennis competition, the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup. Pakistan is hosting the Asia/Oceania Group III event for the first time, from October 21 to 24 at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad.
Which teams are competing?
Eight nations are taking part: Pakistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, the Maldives and Qatar, divided into two groups.
