Pakistan’s esports community asserted its dominance on the global stage once more last week, securing a remarkable victory over South Korea in the “Rival Nations: Pakistan vs. South Korea” Tekken 8 tournament.
Staged in Seoul from March 14-16, 2025, the win solidifies Pakistan’s position as a formidable force in competitive Tekken.
The event commenced with exhibition matches, allowing South Korea to showcase its strength. Bae “Knee” Jae-Min delivered a dominant 10-2 victory against Pakistan’s Arslan “Ash” Siddique. However, the victory was short-lived as subsequent team battles saw a resilient Pakistani squad overturn the initial setbacks.
On the second day, Pakistan secured a convincing 7-3 victory. The final day witnessed intense competition, but a remarkable four-win streak by Adeel “The Jon” Sheikh and Hafiz Tanveer propelled Pakistan to a 13-9 overall win, cementing their victory. Sheikh’s exceptional performance was pivotal in the win, with his adaptability during matches instrumental in securing crucial victories against top-tier Korean opponents.
“For all the people who fail to comprehend why it is so important for us to constantly reiterate that Pakistan is the Best Tekken Region in the World, please understand where we come from,” Ash said, highlighting the significance of the victory for Pakistan. He emphasized the challenges Pakistani players face, including limited resources and infrastructural constraints, making the win even more commendable.
Pakistan’s road to esports prominence began with Ash’s groundbreaking victory at EVO Japan in 2019, where he defeated renowned players like Knee, inspiring a new generation of Pakistani gamers to pursue esports professionally. The Seoul win is merely the latest in a series of impressive performances by Pakistani players on international platforms, reshaping the global Tekken hierarchy.
With esports poised to gain more recognition worldwide, Pakistan’s victory not only brings pride to the nation but also highlights the potential of esports as a viable career path for Pakistani youth. With the world watching, the esports community must now ready itself to embrace new challenges and opportunities on the global stage.