Pakistan has made a strong start at the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, securing one gold and one bronze medal. Zain Waseem delivered both podium results. He won the men’s singles title before partnering with Malik Ali Haider for bronze in the men’s doubles competition. The tournament runs from August 30 to September 6 and marks the first Pickleball World Cup staged in Asia. Zain Waseem defeats Indian players to win gold Waseem claimed Pakistan’s first medal in the Men’s Singles 30+, 3.5+ category. He defeated Indian opponents in both the semifinal and final to complete his title run. The victories placed Waseem at the top of the podium and gave Pakistan an early gold medal in Da Nang. Reporting by The Nation identified him as a player from Shapes Gym Lahore. Waseem also invited his Indian opponents to join him on the podium after the final. The gesture attracted praise for promoting sportsmanship and mutual respect beyond the result. Khawaja Nadeem Ahmed, owner of Shapes Gym, congratulated Waseem and called for official recognition of his performance. “Winning a gold medal at the Pickleball World Cup is a great achievement,” Nadeem said. He also urged the government and sports authorities to reward the player. Nadeem argued that recognition could encourage other Pakistani athletes to compete at major international events. Waseem and Malik Ali Haider secure bronze Pakistan’s second medal came in the Men’s Doubles 30+, 4.0+ category. Waseem and Malik Ali Haider combined to secure the bronze medal. Pickleball Pakistan confirmed the doubles result through its social media account. The organisation described the pair’s performance as an important result for the national contingent. The categories use DUPR ratings to group players according to competitive ability. The age and skill divisions allow athletes to face opponents with broadly similar playing profiles. Competition week in Da Nang features both national-team events and international divisions organised by age and playing rating. Pakistan’s athletes are contesting individual and team events across the programme. Pakistan sends 18-member squad to global event Pakistan has sent an 18-member contingent to compete in Vietnam. The squad’s two early medals have raised expectations as the remaining matches continue until September 6. Organisers expect more than 5,000 athletes from 81 countries and territories. Event information lists seven venues and 76 courts across Da Nang for the eight-day competition. Pakistan entered the 2026 competition after winning three medals on its World Cup debut in Florida in 2025. That campaign produced one gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Komal Safdar won the women’s singles gold last year. Aneel and Fatima earned mixed doubles silver, while Haroon Ahmad and Zeeshan Raza claimed men’s doubles bronze. Waseem’s gold and the doubles bronze have now extended Pakistan’s medal record at the event. They also provide a timely boost for a sport still developing its organised national presence in Pakistan.