Muzammil dethrones Aqeel to win 5th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan Memorial National Ranking Tennis Championship

Muzammil Murtaza continued his upwards rise after beating the longest serving No 1 tennis player Aqeel Khan in the final of 5th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan Memorial National Ranking Tennis Tournament to win the men’s singles trophy at Senator Dilawar Abbas PTF Complex.

This was the second consecutive time that Muzammil has gotten the better of the veteran on the trot after beating him in the final of the 5th Benazir Bhutto National Ranking Tennis Championship last month.

In the men’s singles final, second seed Muzammil Murtaza was up against top seed Aqeel Khan. 

Just like the previous final, Aqeel had no answers to the youngsters game plan. Muzzamil used his pace, agility and firepower in a calm and composed way to win the first set 6-4 in 35 minutes. 

The second set was a much even affair as both the players played superb tennis and amused the spectators with their powerful shots, returns and long rallies.

After playing so well to remain level at 5-5, Aqeel lost the momentum as Muzammil capatalised to break Aqeel's serve and win the second set 7-5 in 45 minutes to lift another title at the expense of the top seed.

Muzammil looks the most likely candidate to overcome Aqeel's two decade long dominance over Pakistan's tennis. 

Earlier, Aqeel and Muzmamil teamed up to beat M Abid/Waqas Malik to grab the doubles title. Aqeel/Muzammil lost the first set 4-6, before winning the second 6-4 and third set on super tie breaker 10-8.

Former kings of Pakistan tennis Rashid Malik (ZTBL) and Hameed-ul-Haq overcame Israr Gul and Irfanullah 4-6, 6-1, 10-8 to grab the seniors 45+ doubles title.

Young tennis sensation Mahin teamed up with Ushna Suhail of WAPDA to land the ladies doubles title defeating the pair of Sara Mansoor/Sarah Mahboob in one-sided final by 6-1, 6-4.

M Shoaib won the boys U-18 title after beating Subhan bin Salik 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. In the boys U-14 final, Bilal Asim beat Haider Ali Rizwan 6-2, 6-3 while in boys U-14 doubles final, M Huzaifa Khan/Hamid Israr beat Ahmed Nael/Bilal Asim 4-1, 4-0. 

In boys/girls U-12 final, Hamza Roman beat Husnain Ali Rizwan 4-2, 3-5, 4-2 while in boys/girls U-10 final, Hamza Ali Rizwan of LGS Paragon Lahore beat M Hassan Usmani 4-0, 5-4(2) to claim the title.

Mr. Tarik Hamdy CEO Eighteen graced the occasion as chief guest, besides a large number of diplomats including Dr. Christian Turner (British High Commissioner) and his wife, Mr. Istvan Szabo and Wife (Ambassador of Hungry) and diplomatic staff of the Swedish Embassy

The Saifullah family was represented by former Federal Ministers and parliamentarians Mr. Humayun Saifullah Khan and Mr. Anwer Saifullah Khan, senator Osman Saifullah Khan and his wife, as well as Mr. Asad Saifullah Khan.