Pakistan's arcade heroes take esports world by storm

Upstart nation gives gaming world's powers run for their money

20231013 Esports

Esports have exploded with multimillion-dollar prizes and viewership that can top traditional sports. © Getty Images

MIFRAH HAQ, Contributing writer

KARACHI -- Pakistan's esports heroes are taking the gaming world by storm and giving established champions an unlikely run for their money, despite dealing with frequent power outages, travel troubles and little official support in the cricket-mad nation.

Topping the ranks is 28-year-old Arslan "Ash" Siddique who shot to fame when he beat South Korean legend Bae "Knee" Jae-Min in the OUG Finals 2018 in Dubai, cementing himself as a champion of the Japanese fighting game Tekken.

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