pakistan begins commonwealth
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Pakistan begins Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign with hopes pinned on Arshad Nadeem

GLASGOW: The 2026 Commonwealth Games have officially begun in Glasgow and will continue until August 2, bringing together nearly 3,000 athletes from 74 countries to compete across multiple sporting disciplines.

Pakistan has sent a 36-member contingent, including 20 athletes, along with coaches and officials, to participate in this year’s event.

The national team will compete in six sports: athletics, boxing, judo, gymnastics, lawn bowls and swimming.

Pakistan’s biggest medal hope is Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, who will defend his Commonwealth Games title. Having achieved historic success for Pakistan on the international stage in recent years, Arshad is widely regarded as the country’s strongest contender for a gold medal.

In athletics, Pakistan will be represented by Arshad Nadeem, Faiqa Riaz, Ansar Abbas, Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad Ismail, Muhammad Yasir and Noreen Hussain.

The boxing squad includes Afzal Khan, Fatima Zahra, Malaika Zahid, Qudratullah and Samama Rehman. Shah Hussain Shah will compete in judo, while Shehzad Ali will represent Pakistan in gymnastics.

In lawn bowls, Maqsood Waseem Khan and Muhammad Ayub Qureshi will compete, while Hamza Asif, Hareem Malik, Jehanara Nabi and Muhammad Ahmed Durrani will represent Pakistan in swimming.

Sports analysts believe Pakistan’s brightest medal prospect is Arshad Nadeem in the men’s javelin throw. If he performs at his best, he is considered a leading favourite to win gold.

Pakistan could also challenge for medals in boxing, although the competition is expected to be tough. In judo, Shah Hussain Shah is viewed as another strong contender, given Pakistan’s previous success in the sport at the Commonwealth Games.

In gymnastics, lawn bowls and swimming, the main objective for Pakistani athletes will be to reach the final rounds and achieve personal best performances.

Overall, experts believe Pakistan has the potential to win one to three medals, with the strongest possibility being a gold medal through Arshad Nadeem. A standout performance in boxing or judo could further improve the country’s medal tally.

As the Games get underway, Pakistani fans will be closely following Arshad Nadeem, whose achievements have made him one of the country’s most celebrated athletes and an inspiration for the next generation of sportsmen and women.

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