Pakistan and South Korea set for historic Tekken series

Five-time EVO champion Arslan Ash is confident that Pakistan would win the historic exhibition Tekken series against South Korea slated to be held in Seoul from March 14-16.

“We have been waiting for the series for long time. We have worked really hard and inshaAllah we will win the series,” Arslan told Nukta.

“There is no guarantee in esports or in any sport as when two forces of equal strength collide then you cannot say who will win. But we are ready for the challenge.

“The first year of each Tekken is very tough. When new game comes then several issues you have to face before achieving excellence. The issues which I am facing in Tekken 8, I think the South Korea’s top player Knee and others would also face them,” he said.

Arslan said that South Korea’s top player Knee’s mind game is ‘too strong’.

“If he downloads you then he will not leave you in peace. His strength is that the more you play with him the more he will put you in trouble,” Arslan said.

The series is being hosted jointly by Pakistan’s leading esports company Baaz and South Korea’s company Soop.

“We are blessed that Baaz is doing a good job and holding events and it benefits our athletes and esport in Pakistan,” Arslan said.

Arslan Ash leads Pakistan’s side which also includes Atif Butt, Mohammad Farzeen, Usama Abbasi, Nouman Chaudhry, The Jon (Adeel) and Hafiz Tanvir.

South Korea will be led by three-time EVO champion Knee and also includes the 2024 Esports World Cup winner Ulsan, two-time Tekken World Tour champion Rangchu, Jeon DDing, Mulgold and Chanel.

'First of its kind' contest

“This is the 7x7 series and the first of its kind. Pakistan’s seven best Tekken players are set to represent the country,” Baaz CEO Danyal Chishty told a news conference.

“They are the real deal. I had pleasure working with these guys in 2022. They are the most passionate, hard-working and dedicated group,” Chishty said.

Pakistan’s The Jon was also hopeful of a graceful show against South Koreans.

“I have worked harder since the day I knew about the Pakistan-Korea series,” The Jon, whose real name is Adeel Ahmed, told Nukta.

Meanwhile, Hafiz Tanvir said that South Korea is a tough team.

“They all are good players and Ulsan and Rangchu are the last year’s world champions and we cannot take them easy,” Tanvir said.

“I have targeted them. We have trained hard and will try to do well against the tough lot and beat them,” Tanvir said.

Farzeen said that they have prepared well.

“We have trained well and let’s see how it happens,” he said.

“It’s a tough game. Korea also has world champions and we also have world champions and it would be a tough contest,” Farzeen said.

Pakistan’s No2 Tekken player Atif Butt said that they will win the series.

“I hope we will win as we are training well,” Atif told Nukta.

“In Ramadan after iftar we train together until sehri. Korea has top players and it would be interesting series,” Atif said.

“Baaz is helping the esports in Pakistan and I will request the state to also contribute in its development,” Atif said.

Pakistan team will leave on Tuesday (tomorrow) for Seoul.