2023: A year of triumphs and records for Pakistan sporting stars

2023: A year of triumphs and records for Pakistan sporting stars

Asher Butt

The past 12 months of 2023 was a stellar year for Pakistani sports, with young athletes blazing trails across diverse disciplines. From the hallowed courts of tennis to the treacherous slopes of Mount Everest, Pakistan saw its sons and daughters etching their names in record books and raising the national flag high.

A Glimpse into Pakistan's Sporting Odyssey:

The year began with Aqeel Khan domination of the National Ranking Tennis, while Sultan Muhammad conquered the Snooker Championship. Badminton saw Mahoor Shahzad bag two titles, and 14-year-old Ishaath Amjad aced a hole-in-one in golf.

The month followed saw Pakistan clinched the West Asia Baseball Cup, Muhammad Ali Shah Jr. boxed his way to a championship title, and Haroon Khan of Rangers Punjab brought home a bronze medal in Taekwondo. Muniba Ali's historic centuries in T20Is and the World Cup further illuminated the year.

Inam-ul-Haq reigned supreme in the Quaid-e-Azam Tennis in March, Shahir triumphed in the Boxing Council Asian title fight, and Pakistani-American runners Dr. Salman Khan and Hamid Butt shone in the Tokyo Marathon. Mariam of KPT claimed the first gold in the National Boxing Championship, while Hanan Shahid received the Emerging Player of Asia 2022 award in hockey.

E-gamer Arslan Ash emerged victorious with Tekken 7 title resonated across the digital arena, while Shahzeb Rind's Karate Combat League win in America added another feather to the cap. Mountaineer Shahroz Kafsif's ascent of 11 peaks solidified his place as the world's youngest achiever. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan's record-breaking 50+ partnership in cricket further cemented their prowess.

Arslan Ash in the following month continued his dominance, claiming the Combo Breaker title. Pakistan reached the Junior Hockey Asia Cup final, and Abdul Joshi became the eighth Pakistani to scale Mount Everest.

June was the month of triumph for Ahsan Ramzan who claimed the Under-21 Asian Snooker Championship title and Usman Wazir's boxing title defence were testaments to Pakistani grit. Special Olympics athletes brought home 10 gold medals, showcasing their indomitable spirit.

Naila Kayani's ascent of Nanga Parbat marked the start of July, while Pakistani gamers' success at the Saudia Gaming Festival, Homeless World Cup victory in football, and Hamza Khan's historic squash championship win after 37 years were moments of immense pride.

Dilawar Khan's World Martial Arts Games gold medal, Arshad Nadeem's silver in the World Athletics Championship, Taimur Khan's boxing triumph over an Indian rival, and the horsemen's Mongolian Derby victory marked a month of sporting glory of August.

Pakistan's squash victory over India in the Asian Games though not the greatest but was one of the big achievements of the yar that came in September. The U-19 football team's international win after 12 years, Mohsin Nawaz's European Championship silver in long-range shooting, Anita Kareem's MMA success in Thailand, and the World Jujitsu Championship gold medal further enriched the sporting tapestry.

Sarbaz Khan climbed 13 8,000m peaks, Naila Kayani's 10-peak feat, Hyder Ali's Para Asian Games gold, and Abdullah Shafiq's record-breaking debut in the World Cup opener were testaments to Pakistani athletes' tenacity.

In was November by when Shaheen Shah Afridi's inclusion among the fastest bowlers to 100 wickets was witnessed, Babar Masih's third consecutive World Snooker Championship win was another feature of Pakistan sporting triumphs, the Sultan Johor Hockey Cup victory, and Fakhar Zaman's record-equaling centuries in ODIs added more chapters to the sporting saga.

Even the final month of the year was not lacking in achievements. Pakistan former captain and world’s number batter Babar Azam marked 13,000 international runs milestone to become the 5^th Pakistani to have the feat.

Usman Wazir's victory in the international ranking fight underscored his determination and skill, earning him recognition on the global stage. Ryan Zaman clinched a silver medal in the World Junior Squash Championship, highlighting his talent and potential in the world of squash.

Saud Shakeel set a unique Test record, leaving an indelible mark in the cricketing annals with his exceptional performance.

As only cricket is overviewed, it captured the highs and lows, the controversies and victories, and the changing tides of the team's performance throughout the year. Here are some key takeaways:

Ups:

Achieved top rankings in ODIs and Test Championship before Australia series. Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi topped ICC batting and bowling rankings in ODIs. Women's team achieved historic T20 victories against South Africa and New Zealand. Whitewashed Sri Lanka in Test series and won ODI series against New Zealand and Afghanistan.

Downs:

Disappointing performances in Asia Cup and World Cup, failing to reach semifinals in both. Humiliating defeats against India in both Asia Cup and World Cup. Loss of Test series in Australia. Series of controversies involving selectors, captaincy, and leaked private chats.

Changes:

Inzamamul Haq stepped down as chief selector. Babar Azam stepped down as captain in all formats. Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi appointed new captains for Test and T20I formats, respectively. Wahab Riaz appointed new chief selector. New team management announced for Australia tour.

Overall, 2023 was a mixed bag for Pakistan cricket. While there were some significant achievements, particularly in ODIs and the women's team, the disappointment of mega-events and persistent controversies cannot be ignored. As the team heads into 2024 with new leadership and challenges, it will be interesting to see how they address their weaknesses and build on their strengths.

As the curtain falls on year gone by, it will be remembered as a golden period for Pakistani sports. The achievements of these young athletes, who defied limitations and scaled impossible heights, have etched their names in history. With anticipation and excitement, the sports community eagerly awaits the unfolding of further triumphs and records by these rising stars in 2024.

However, the year had accomplishments in individual games but it was opposite in team sports. Still 2023 will undoubtedly be reminisced as a year where young athletes defied limitations, scaled impossible heights, and engraved their names in antiquity. Now the anticipation for further triumphs and records by these rising stars is palpable.