Pakistan’s women’s handball team won the bronze medal at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women’s Nations Trophy Asia Zone III in Tashkent, finishing third on their return to international competition after a seven-year absence. The Pakistan women handball bronze was sealed with a 33-23 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their final match on October 17.
Hosts Uzbekistan won the trophy, Turkmenistan claimed silver, Kyrgyzstan placed fourth and Tajikistan came fifth in the five-team tournament held from October 13 to 17. Uzbekistan also qualified for the Continental Women Nations Trophy.
Pakistan began their campaign on October 13 with a 38-19 defeat by Turkmenistan before suffering a 46-8 loss to hosts Uzbekistan the following day. The team bounced back on October 15 with a 36-14 victory over Tajikistan, with captain Sehrish named player of the match.
Pakistan completed their campaign with another impressive performance, beating Kyrgyzstan 33-23 on October 17, with Misbah receiving the player-of-the-match award.
Pakistan women handball bronze: campaign in numbers
Pakistan finished the tournament with two wins and two defeats. Their victories over Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan proved decisive in earning the bronze medal ahead of Kyrgyzstan, who recorded a single victory, while Tajikistan finished without a win.
Turkmenistan finished runners-up with three victories, including their 38-19 win over Pakistan. Uzbekistan dominated the competition, winning all four matches. They defeated Tajikistan 49-9, Pakistan 46-8, Kyrgyzstan 43-17 and Turkmenistan 21-16.
Seven years away from the international stage
Pakistan Handball Federation president Mohammad Shafiq described the result as an encouraging achievement given the challenges facing the team.
“It is a good achievement because our senior women’s team has participated in an international tournament after seven years. The team had a short training period and faced a lack of facilities,” Shafiq told The Express Tribune.
Pakistan women had waited long for international exposure since featuring in the 2019 Nepal South Asian Games. Pakistan previously competed in the South Asian zone but have now shifted to the Central Asian zone because of issues with India.
The bronze adds to a growing list of podium finishes for Pakistan’s women athletes in recent months. Pakistan’s women’s volleyball team won bronze at the Asian Games, while the women’s hockey team also claimed bronze, a sign that women’s sport in the country is finding its feet again at the continental level. Pakistan’s Asian Games campaign closed earlier this month with several record performances, and the women’s under-19 cricket team has also been in competitive action this month.
Source: The Express Tribune
Where was the IHF Women’s Nations Trophy Asia Zone III held?
The five-team tournament was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from October 13 to 17. Hosts Uzbekistan won the trophy and qualified for the Continental Women Nations Trophy.
How did Pakistan win the bronze medal?
Pakistan beat Tajikistan 36-14 and Kyrgyzstan 33-23, finishing with two wins and two defeats. Those two victories placed them third ahead of Kyrgyzstan, who managed a single win.
When did Pakistan’s women’s handball team last play internationally?
The team’s last international appearance before Tashkent was the 2019 South Asian Games in Nepal, seven years ago. Pakistan have since shifted from the South Asian zone to the Central Asian zone.
