The team won seven of the eleven games in Ahmedabad, India. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Pakistani women proved their mettle as they qualified for the World Championship after reaching the final stage of the Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) Zonal Championship 2013 in Ahmedabad yesterday.
The women’s team finished the group stage with a score of 213.5 Victory Points (VP). Despite losing their last round robin match to the hosts and defending champions India by 32-27 International match Points (IMP) yesterday, Pakistan were able to set up a final showdown against the same opposition.
Pakistan won seven matches in the championship, lost four and drew one, to finish ahead of second-placed India who aggregated 205.5 VPs. The top two teams qualified for the Bermuda Bowl World Championship that will take place in September in Bali.
The women’s team will now play a two-round final against India today.
“The strategy is to keep our game steady and simple in the final,” team-member Fatima Raza told The Express Tribune. “The competition level at the championship was exceptionally high and featured some experienced players, so I’m glad that we’ve qualified for the Bermuda Bowl. So far, the Indians have given us a fantastic response in Ahmedabad.”
‘Winning this title will be very special’
The Pakistan women’s squad featured three generations of bridge players with Qudsia Dossa, her daughter Rubina Saeed Hai and Hai’s daughter Raza.
Raza said qualifying for the World Championship is ‘like a dream come true’.
“It’s an honour for me and winning this title will be very special. I just began playing bridge, and in fact this was my first international tournament.”
Pakistan’s seniors’ squad, however, failed to defend their title in the event. They finished last among four countries with 150.5 points, losing their last match to Sri Lanka 58-62. India and Bangladesh qualified for the Bermuda Bowl.
Earlier, Pakistan finished last in the seven-team open event after finishing their group stage with 155.5 points.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2013.
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