Dhaka, 26 December – Bangladesh celebrated a landmark achievement on the international badminton stage, as the UNEX-Sunrise Bangladesh International Series has produced an all-Bangladesh final in the men’s doubles event. After thrilling semi-final encounters on Thursday, two home pairs secured their places in the final, ensuring that the men’s doubles trophy will remain in Bangladeshi hands.
In the first semi-final at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium, compatriots Gourab Singh and Abdul Zahir Tanvir faced Al Amin Zumar and Moazzem Hossain Ahidul. After narrowly losing the opening set 19–21, Gourab and Tanvir staged a commanding comeback in the second, winning 21–8. Riding the momentum into the deciding set, they maintained their form to clinch 21–15, booking a place in the final.
The second semi-final delivered even more drama, as Mizanur Rahman and Rahatun Naeem faced a formidable Thai pair, Kullapat Lothong and Tachine. After dropping the first set 17–21, the Bangladesh duo bounced back with a 21–13 win in the second set. The final set became a nail-biting affair, with both sides exchanging points in a tense battle. Mizan and Naeem ultimately triumphed 25–23, securing their spot in the final.
Notably, Al Amin Zumar and Moazzem Hossain Ahidul had recently returned from Toronto, Canada, where they won a bronze medal at the UNEX Canadian Challenge. Despite this success, they could not replicate the feat on home soil and will settle for the bronze medal in the Bangladesh International Series.
Earlier in the tournament, Al Amin and Moazzem defeated the English-Australian pair Wang Yu Hang and Jeui G Jee 21–14, 25–23 to reach the semi-finals. Gourab and Tanvir overcame Vietnam’s Than Dat and Dak Nguyen 21–15, 21–15, while Mizan and Naeem defeated India’s Atul Kumar and Pradeep Kumar 21–15, 21–16 to advance.
Semi-Final Results – Men’s Doubles
| Semi-Final | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gourab/Tanvir vs Al Amin/Moazzem | 19–21 | 21–8 | 21–15 | Gourab/Tanvir |
| Mizan/Rahatun vs Kullapat/Tachine | 17–21 | 21–13 | 25–23 | Mizan/Rahatun |
With Bangladesh’s dominance and consistent performances, excitement is building ahead of the finals. The tournament’s five finals will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday, with all eyes on the men’s doubles showdown, where two formidable Bangladeshi pairs will vie for the coveted title.