Nordquist overcomes local hero Shoaib in high-stakes ITF M-15 Leg-2 final at Islamabad
By Nawaz Gohar ; In a captivating display of grit and world-class tennis, Sweden’s Arvid Nordquist emerged as the champion of the McDonald’s Pakistan ITF Championship 2026 (ITF M-15 Leg-2). In the thrilling final held at the PTF Tennis Complex on Sunday, Nordquist outlasted Pakistan’s top-ranked Muhammad Shoaib in a three-set marathon, securing the prestigious title with a scoreline of 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3).
The championship match lived up to its billing as a clash of titans. Nordquist took an early lead by snatching a tightly contested first set, only for Shoaib to roar back in the second, fueled by a vocal home crowd.
The deciding set pushed both athletes to their physical limits, eventually culminating in a nerve-wracking tiebreak. Nordquist’s composure under pressure proved decisive, as he executed clinical winners to silence the arena and claim the trophy.
The closing ceremony was a star-studded affair, reflecting the international significance of the tournament. H.E. Alexandra Berg von Linde, the Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, celebrating her compatriot’s victory. Joining her as the Guest of Honour was Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).
The event was attended by a distinguished gallery of diplomats and officials, including: Ms. Natalie A. Baker, Chargé d’Affaires, US Embassy, H.E. Matt Cannell, British Deputy High Commissioner, Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, Patron-PTF, Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Federal Secretary, Ministry of IPC, Mr. Aamir Malik, COO McDonald’s Pakistan, players and their families and tennis enthusiasts.
Despite the loss, PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi hailed the event as a landmark success for the sport in the country. He particularly lauded Muhammad Shoaib for his historic run, noting that Shoaib is the first Pakistani in 25 years—since Aisam himself—to reach back-to-back finals of an ITF professional event.
“The successful execution of two consecutive ITF M-15 tournaments is a testament to our commitment to international sports,” Aisam remarked. “I congratulate Arvid Nordquist on his phenomenal win and our own Shoaib for a proud performance that has revitalized tennis fans across the nation.”
The championship showcased a diverse global field, featuring 86 players from 22 nations, including heavyweights from the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada.
The PTF extended deep gratitude to the Islamabad Police for ensuring foolproof security and thanked corporate partners, including McDonald’s Pakistan, OGDC, and Honda Pakistan, for their instrumental role in bringing world-class tennis back to the capital.
