LAHORE: Former national tennis champion and Davis Cup player Rashid Ahmad Malik (Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz) will lead a four-member Pakistan senior tennis contingent at two International Tennis Federation (ITF) Masters tournaments in Pattaya, Thailand, from November 14 to 26, 2026.
The Pakistan squad comprises Waqar Nisar in the men’s 70-plus category, Rashid Malik in the men’s 60-plus category, and Khurram Imtiaz and Furqan Uddin Khan in the men’s 55-plus category. All four players will feature in their respective singles and doubles events as they seek international ranking points and recognition for Pakistan.
The team will first compete in the ITF Masters MT700 Tournament at the Royal Cliff Hotel from November 14 to 20. It will then take part in the MT400 event at Greta Club from November 21 to 26. The MT700 championship, a higher-grade event, is expected to attract players from around 25 leading tennis-playing nations.
Waqar Nisar said participation in the back-to-back tournaments would provide Pakistani players an excellent opportunity to test themselves against quality international opposition, improve their ITF rankings and strengthen Pakistan’s presence on the global Masters tennis circuit.
Wajid Aziz Khan, Convenor Tennis at Lahore Gymkhana, highlighted the international credentials of the four players and expressed confidence that they would deliver strong performances. He also praised Rashid Malik, who has extended his unbeaten run in Masters singles to 106 matches.
Malik has won four singles titles in tournaments held in Thailand, Lahore and Oxford, England, and has also secured a mixed doubles title in Thailand.
Waqar Nisar finished runner-up in the men’s 70-plus singles category at two MT200 tournaments in Khao Lak, Thailand, in December 2025. Khurram Imtiaz won both the men’s 55-plus singles and doubles titles in Thailand before adding the 55-plus doubles crown in Lahore. Furqan Uddin Khan partnered Khurram to win the 55-plus doubles title in Thailand and also finished runner-up in the singles consolation event.
Rashid Malik, Khurram Imtiaz and Furqan Uddin Khan thanked The Bank of Punjab, Lahore Gymkhana Club, JDW Group, Revive by Gatorade and Jamal Polymer Pvt Ltd for their sponsorship and continued support. They said the sponsors’ commitment to senior tennis had played an important role in making their international participation possible and hoped senior athletes representing Pakistan abroad would continue to receive encouragement.
Meanwhile, Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman of Lahore Gymkhana has approved Lahore Gymkhana as the host venue for the forthcoming ITF Seniors tournament in Lahore. He appreciated the Gymkhana Tennis Club and its management for their efforts in developing local tennis talent and expressed optimism that emerging players would eventually achieve international success.
He also extended his best wishes to the Pakistan contingent for its Thailand campaign and urged the players to give their best and bring further laurels to the country.
