The year 2021 was a good one for Pakistan sports.
Pakistan cricket team’s magnificent performances throughout the year and specifically in the 2021 T20 World Cup brought joy and cheer to the millions of cricket fans in the country. Mohammad Rizwan’s record-breaking year turned him into one of the most famous sports personalities in the country.
Pakistani boxer, Muhammad Waseem, became the pride of the entire nation as he became the number one ranked flyweight boxer in the world. Pakistani athletes broke various Guinness World Records in multiple disciplines as well.
Arshad Nadeem Impresses in Tokyo Olympics
Arshad Nadeem once again defied the odds and came in at the fifth position in the Javelin Throw event at the Tokyo Olympics. Nadeem’s feat was impressive due to the fact that he did not have access to proper training facilities leading up to the tournament.
Talha Talib Shines in Tokyo Olympics
Talha Talib became an overnight sensation as the whole country backed him in the Weightlifting competition in the Tokyo Olympics. Talha, who had little support from the authorities in the country, trained in his own gym in Gujranwala leading up to the mega event. He massively exceeded expectations as he achieved the fifth position in the 67KG category weightlifting competition at the Olympics.
Muhammad Waseem Becomes No.1 Boxer
The Falcon became a two-time World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver World Title and WBA World Eliminator champion as he defeated Colombia’s Robert Barrera. The victory over his counterpart propelled him to the top of the WBA Flyweight rankings. He reclaimed his top spot after a gap of four years.
Saadi Abbas Finishes Fifth in Asian Karate Championship
Pakistan’s star Karateka, Saadi Abbas achieved the fifth spot in the Asian Karate Championship. Saadi competed in the tournament despite suffering from fever and flu which had an adverse impact on his performance. Despite being less than a hundred percent, he stood his ground and finished fifth.
Haider Ali Wins Gold in Tokyo Paralympic Games
Pakistan’s Haider Ali created history as he became the first-ever Pakistani athlete to win a gold medal at Paralympic Games 2020. Haider achieved an impressive milestone as he won the Men’s Discus Throw Competition in the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Haider achieved his personal best discus throw in the competition. He threw the discus at 55.26m, which was approximately three meters more than the second-placed competitor.
Nida Dar Creates History
Pakistan women’s star cricketer, Nida Dar created history as she became the first Pakistani cricketer to take more than 100 T20I wickets. Nida is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is with 103 wickets in the format. She is the only Pakistani cricketer, men or women, to achieve the feat so far.
Mohammad Rizwan Smashes T20 Records
Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter, Mohammad Rizwan had a record-breaking year in T20 cricket. He became the first batter in the world to cross the 2,000 run mark in the T20s and the 1,000 run mark in T20Is. Rizwan witnessed a meteoric rise in the year. He was ranked outside the top 100 at the start of the year and finished as the third ranked batter in T20I rankings at the end of the year.
Babar Azam Ends the Year on a High
Pakistan’s all-format captain, Babar Azam continued to be in top form in the year and finished as the best batter in ODI and T20Is. He became only the second batter in history to be ranked number one in both formats. Previously, former Australian batter, Ricky Ponting, achieved the feat back in 2005.
Arslan Ash Wins Another Major Tekken 7 Event
Pakistan’s sports sensation, Arslan Ash won his third major Tekken tournament as he won the Community Effort Orlando (CEO) in Florida, USA. Arslan Ash won the International Tekken 7 tournament at the WePlay Ultimate Fighting League. He defeated fellow Pakistani, Awais Honey, in the final to be crowned as the champion of the mega tournament.
Shehroze Kashif Summits Mount Everest & K2
19-year old Shehroze Kashif set two Guinness World Records as he became the youngest mountaineer in the world to summit the two highest peaks in the world, Mount Everest and K2. He summitted the mountains within three months.
Pakistan Registers Most T20I Wins
Pakistan had an amazing run in T20 cricket throughout the year. The Men in Green created history as they became the first team in history to register 20 T20I wins in a calendar year. Pakistan played a total of 29 matches in the year, ending victorious in 20 matches. They beat the likes of South Africa, Bangladesh, and West Indies away from home in addition to a remarkable run in the 2021 T20 World Cup as well.
Ahmed Mujtaba KOs Indian Opponent in Under a Minute
Syed Imaad Ali Wins World Youth Scrabble Championship
A young prodigy, Syed Imaad Ali created history as he won the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) Youth Cup for the second time. He became the only player in the world to win the championship twice. The 15-year old defeated his opponent in 9 out of 13 games in the finals of the tournament, held in Karachi, and helped Pakistan finish as the winners of the tournament.
Pakistan whitewashes South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh
Pakistan had a terrific year in Test cricket. They registered clean sweep series victories against South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh. Their series victory against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe came away from home while they defeated South Africa in Pakistan.