Pakistani Tekken 8 player Khawaja Muhammad Zubair, better known as M. Zubair or Bablu, has won the Esports World Cup 2026 championship after coming through the Last Chance Qualifier.
Representing All Gamers, Zubair beat South Korea’s LowHigh 5-0 in the grand final. The victory earned him $250,000, plus another $50,000 through the Jafonso Award. The EWC gives that award to players who advance through an LCQ and then win the main tournament.
Read More: Pakistan Claims Three Medals in Asian Beach Games
“I worked really hard, and I had full faith that I can win this,” Zubair said after his victory.
From Last Chance Qualifier to ‘Group of Death’
Zubair emerged from an LCQ field of more than 400 players. He beat Ayorichie 3-0 and Raef 3-1 before Numan Ch forced a reset with a 3-2 win. Zubair responded by beating Numan 3-1 to secure his main-event place.
congratulations for @ZubairAbdu31256 for winning
ewc 2026 tekken 8 from lcq to ewc 2026 champion
🥇🏆🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/gApbtXk434— hassan abulhassan (@FEDERER_2009) August 8, 2026
Organisers placed him in Group DD alongside two-time defending EWC champion ULSAN, Korean legend Knee and Pakistani contender Farzeen. The lineup quickly earned the “group of death” label among fans.
Zubair immediately upset ULSAN 3-1. Keisuke then handed him a 3-0 defeat, sending him into the lower bracket. Zubair recovered by sweeping Japan’s Ao 3-0 and advanced.
Arslan Ash Beaten Twice
Group Stage 2 allowed upper-bracket winners to choose lower-bracket opponents. THE JON selected Zubair, but the Pakistani Dragunov player won 3-1. He then produced a dominant 3-0 victory over eight-time EVO champion Arslan Ash to reach the playoffs.
Read More: PlayStation to End Game Discs From 2028 as Sony Moves Fully to Digital
Zubair defeated Raef 5-3 in the quarterfinals, setting up another meeting with Arslan. Their semifinal turned into a nine-game battle.
Arslan opened with Nina and won the first game. Zubair answered with two straight victories using Dragunov. Arslan switched to Zafina and took three consecutive games, moving within one win of the final.
Zubair then fought back with two close victories. Arslan returned to Nina for the deciding game, but Zubair completed the comeback and won the series 5-4.
Arslan later lost the third-place match 5-2 to Yagami and finished fourth.
Flawless 5-0 Sweep Seals Championship
LowHigh reached the grand final after beating ULSAN 5-3. However, the Korean star could not slow Zubair’s momentum.
Zubair controlled the matchup with Dragunov and swept LowHigh’s Bryan 5-0. The result completed his journey from the LCQ to the EWC title and made him the tournament champion.
Read More: Fans Shocked as GTA 6 Cost Rumors Cross $3 Billion
“I have been practising a lot in Pakistan,” Zubair said while discussing his preparation. He also credited a friend who had trained with him before the tournament.
The championship brought Zubair 1,000 Club Championship points for All Gamers. It pushed the organisation to the top of the club standings at the time of his victory.
Zubair’s run included wins over the defending champion, THE JON, Arslan Ash twice, Raef and LowHigh. The victory adds another major international title to Pakistan’s growing reputation in competitive Tekken.
