PARIS, 09 August 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan’s Muhammad Zubair has been crowned the Tekken 8 World Champion after delivering a dominant performance at the Esports World Cup in Paris.Zubair defeated South Korea’s LowHigh 5-0 in the grand final on Saturday, securing the world title along with a $250,000 cash prize.The Pakistani esports star produced an impressive run throughout the tournament, held from August 5 to 8. After narrowly surviving the early stages, Zubair raised his level in the knockout rounds and continued to overcome some of the world’s leading Tekken players.In the second group stage on Friday, Zubair defeated fellow Pakistani and internationally renowned Tekken player Arslan “Ash” Siddique. The two players met again in the semifinals on Saturday in a thrilling encounter, where Zubair edged Ash 5-4 to book his place in the grand final.
Zubair then produced a commanding display against LowHigh, completing the final with a 5-0 sweep and adding another major international title to Pakistan’s growing esports achievements.Arslan “Ash” Siddique finished fourth after losing the third-place decider to Australia’s Yagami.Zubair’s triumph further strengthens Pakistan’s reputation on the international esports stage. His compatriot Ash had earlier won the 2026 Evo Championship in Las Vegas in June, claiming his fourth consecutive title at the prestigious fighting game tournament.The Esports World Cup features competitions across several major gaming titles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Street Fighter and Valorant, bringing together elite players from around the world.Zubair’s historic victory marks another significant milestone for Pakistan’s rapidly emerging esports scene and highlights the country’s growing presence among the world’s top competitive gaming nations.