The Pakistan women handball team won bronze at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women’s Nations Trophy Asia Zone III in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, finishing third in a five-team field held from 13 to 17 October. The result marked the side’s return to international competition after a seven-year absence.
Hosts Uzbekistan claimed the title, Turkmenistan took silver, Kyrgyzstan placed fourth and Tajikistan finished fifth. Uzbekistan also booked a place at the 2026 AHF Asian Women’s Handball Championship in Kazakhstan, set for 23 November to 3 December.
How Pakistan earned the medal
Pakistan opened on 13 October with a 38–19 defeat to Turkmenistan, then fell 46–8 to Uzbekistan the next day. The Pakistan women handball team responded on 15 October with a 36–14 win over Tajikistan; captain Sehrish was named player of the match. On 17 October they beat Kyrgyzstan 33–23, with Misbah receiving the player-of-the-match award.
Two wins and two losses left Pakistan third in the standings. Those victories over Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan were decisive for bronze.
Federation reaction and zone shift
Pakistan Handball Federation (PHF) president Mohammad Shafiq described the outcome as encouraging given the team’s challenges. He said it was a good achievement because the senior women’s side had played an international tournament after seven years, adding that the squad had a short training period and faced a lack of facilities.
Pakistan’s last comparable international exposure was at the 2019 South Asian Games in Nepal. The programme had been in the South Asian zone and has moved to the Central Asian zone because of issues with India.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 13 October: Pakistan lose 38–19 to Turkmenistan in Tashkent.
- 14 October: Hosts Uzbekistan defeat Pakistan 46–8.
- 15 October: Pakistan beat Tajikistan 36–14; captain Sehrish named player of the match.
- 17 October: Pakistan defeat Kyrgyzstan 33–23; Misbah named player of the match; bronze secured with third place.
- 13–17 October: Uzbekistan win all four matches to take the trophy; Turkmenistan finish runners-up with three wins.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ki women handball team ne Tashkent mein bronze medal jeet liya hai. Saat saal baad international tournament mein wapas aakar unhon ne Tajikistan aur Kyrgyzstan ko hara kar teesra maqam hasil kiya. Uzbekistan champion bana, Turkmenistan doosre number par raha. Ye nateeja team ke liye umeed afza hai, khas tor par kam training aur kam facilities ke bawajood.
