6 min read
If 2019 was the spark, 2025 was the inferno. For years, Pakistan was the underdog story of the esports world. But as we close out 2025, that narrative is dead. The underdog has successfully turned itself into a superpower. From the arcades of Lahore and Karachi to the dazzling stages of Riyadh and Las Vegas, Pakistani athletes didn’t just participate this year… They dominated, delivering Pakistani esports moments that turned heads globally.
The year 2025 will be remembered as the era of the “Green Storm“. We saw barriers broken in Battle Royales, legends cemented in Fighting Games, and a depth of talent that terrified the global competition.
Here are the top 5 Pakistani esports moments from 2025 that proved Pakistan is on track to own the future of esports.
1. The Seoul Dismantling: Pakistan vs South Korea (Tekken 8)
The debate is over. In March, the two top nations of Tekken, Pakistan and South Korea, clashed in a historic 7v7 team battle in Seoul. The format of the “SOOP Nations Cup” was brutal, designed to test the depth of each nation’s talent pool. South Korea played on home soil. They had their legends, including Knee and ULSAN. But Pakistan had a point to prove.
In a result that sent shockwaves through the community, Pakistan hammered South Korea 13-9 in the “Unleashed” format. The hype of the victory itself wasn’t that big. The real shock here was the performance of the “Tier 2” Pakistani players, who proved they were arguably superior to Korea’s “Tier 1”. While Arslan Ash and Atif Butt were their usual brilliant selves, it was the new guard that stole the show.
Numan Ch delivered a masterclass, dismantling Korean superstar ULSAN 3-0 in the “Waseda” format. THE JON went on a rampage, taking down Knee and Rangchu. And finally, Hafiz Tanveer took down Mulgold, South Korea’s final hope, in a close set that went down to the wire. It was a complete systemic dismantling of the old guard.
2. “Arslan Ash” Wins 7th EVO Title: The Miracle Run (Tekken 8)
By August 2025, whispers began to circulate. Was Arslan Ash washed after crashing out of the Esports World Cup? He silenced those critics by winning his 6th title at “EVO Las Vegas” in August, defeating Atif Butt. But his most shocking performance came two months later at the inaugural “EVO France” in Nice.
Arslan’s path to his 7th EVO title was a nightmare script. Early in the tournament, he was sent to the Losers’ Bracket. With zero margin for error, Arslan had to run a gauntlet that would break lesser players. He went on a skirmish, eliminating big names like they were nothing.
The Grand Final was against JeonDDing, a South Korean phenom. The crowd in Nice was deafening, overwhelmingly rooting for their home-team representative. Arslan was fighting the player and the arena simultaneously. JeonDDing was the man who had eliminated Arslan Ash from the “EWC” earlier in the year. The narrative was perfectly set. Using “Nina Williams”, Arslan displayed nerves of steel.
In a heart-stopping Match, Arslan edged out JeonDDing to take his 7th EVO title. This victory made Arslan Ash the first player in history to conquer EVO in three different regions: America, Japan, and Europe.
Arslan Ash with tears of joy as he makes Pakistan proud YET AGAIN!
WHAT A CHAMP! #TEKKEN8 #EvoFrance2025 @ArslanAsh95 pic.twitter.com/ScoSQk3ewB
— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) October 12, 2025
For a detailed breakdown of Arslan’s path to glory, read TechJuice’s detailed coverage by clicking here.
3. “4Thrives” Breaks the Battle Royale Ceiling (PUBG Mobile)
For years, Pakistan was typecast as a “Fighting Game Region”. 4Thrives shattered that stereotype in 2025.
Qualifying for the “PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC)” in Riyadh was historic enough. But analysts predicted they would be cannon fodder for the giants of China and Southeast Asia. Especially the unnecessary hate coming from Pakistan’s jealous neighbour, India, was mind-numbingly insane.
They were all proven wrong. 4Thrives didn’t just survive… They thrived. Placing 2nd in the “Group of Death (Group Yellow)”, they outscored global powerhouses like DRX and Team Secret. In the Grand Finals, they finished 7th globally, taking home a massive $157,000 prize. This moment proved that Pakistani tactical supremacy extends far beyond the fighting game community.
4. The Glorious Defeat: “Inner Circle” at PMGC 2025 (PUBG Mobile)
Following their “EWC” success, the 4Thrives roster was acquired by Inner Circle Esports, marking a new era of investment. Their run at the “PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC)” in December 2025 became one of the most emotional storylines of the year.
After fighting through the group stages, Inner Circle faced the “Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ)”, a do-or-die gauntlet where only the top 2 advance. Led by captain Shayan “IQ” Asad, the team showed flashes of absolute brilliance, including a memorable Chicken Dinner that had Pakistani fans dreaming of a Grand Finals berth.
Despite their grit, Inner Circle finished 5th in the “LCQ”, narrowly missing the qualification cut. Usually, a 5th-place finish in a qualifier is forgotten. But the reaction was different. The “Green Wall” of fans flooded social media with pride rather than disappointment.
Their performance proved that Pakistan is no longer just “happy to be there”. They are proper contenders. Inner Circle went toe-to-toe with the world’s best, and while they fell short of the trophy, they cemented Pakistan’s status as a legitimate threat in global mobile esports.
5. “Hotshot Esports” goes to Jakarta (Free Fire)
While PUBG Mobile grabs headlines, the Free Fire community in Pakistan has been quietly building an army. In 2025, Hotshot Esports brought that army to the global stage, yet another addition to the top Pakistani esports moments list.
Led by captain Hasuu 11, along with Action (the MVP of the Pakistan qualifiers), Sajid, Leo, and Anas, Hotshot dominated the domestic circuit. They secured their ticket to the “FFWS Global Finals” in Jakarta by crushing the local competition with 141 points and 3 Booyahs in the Pakistan finals.
The Global Finals in November 2025 was a baptism of fire. Competing against well-funded titans like Buriram United and Fluxo, Hotshot faced the highest level of competition imaginable. They finished 18th in the world, taking home $15,000.
The rank doesn’t tell the whole story. By simply being there, Hotshot shattered the isolation that had plagued the Pakistani Free Fire community for years. They proved that Pakistani talent can qualify for and compete in the sport’s most prestigious $1,000,000 tournament. They returned home not with a trophy, but with invaluable experience that will likely define the region’s meta for 2026.
Top Pakistani Esports Moments 2025: Honorary Mentions
- Atif Butt: The Second King of Tekken
We cannot overlook Atif Butt, who had a monstrous 2025. Representing Team Falcons, he won “CEO 2025” and the “Emirates Showdown” (beating Arslan Ash). His rivalry with Arslan pushed both players to new heights this year. - Numan Ch: The “Steve” Abuser
His undefeated run in the “EWC Last Chance Qualifier” was the stuff of legends, single-handedly gating multiple Korean pros from the main event.
Conclusion
2025 wasn’t just a good year… It was a statement. The “Green Storm” is real, and it is reshaping the global hierarchy of esports. These globally impacting Pakistani esports moments are a testament to that. As we look toward 2026, one thing is certain that the whole world is watching Pakistan.
