Pakistan win fifth medal with esports bronze

AICHI-NAGOYA - Pakistan added a fifth medal to their Asian Games 2026 tally when their PUBG Mobile team secured bronze in the esports competition at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname on Tuesday. Pakistan finished third among 12 teams with 100 points, behind champions Thailand on 128 and runners-up China on 114. The team comprised Mohammad Huzaifa, Shayan Asad, Falak Sher, Hasnain Rehman and Syed Sameer.

Entering the second day in medal contention, Pakistan produced a strong finish, collecting 61 points from their final six matches after scoring 39 on the opening day. They secured bronze by finishing third in the 12th and final match with 12 points, including four placement and eight elimination points.

Their best second-day performance came in the seventh match, where they earned 16 points, followed by 10 each in the eighth and ninth, 12 in the 11th and 12 in the final match. The bronze represents Pakistan’s first podium finish in an esports discipline at the Asian Games. Pakistan’s other four medals have come from women’s cricket, modern MMA and squash. The women’s cricket team won bronze, while Noor Zaman and Ashab Irfan earned squash bronzes after reaching the men’s singles semi-finals. MMA fighter Asim Khan also secured bronze.