Pakistan’s 16-year-old Affan Salman has secured the World Youth Scrabble Championship title at the tournament held in Sri Lanka, marking a significant achievement for the country in the game of Scrabble. This victory is Pakistan’s fifth title, a world record, with Salman winning 19 out of 23 games. The event featured 138 participants from various countries, solidifying Pakistan’s dominance in the youth Scrabble scene.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), Affan Salman claimed the championship with an impressive record of 20–4 and a spread of +1793, showcasing remarkable skill and strategy.
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Other Pakistani players also delivered strong performances. Bilal Ashar secured 6th place, Ibrahim Mansoor finished 8th, and Aehzam Ahmed earned a spot in the top 10. India’s Suyash Manchali took second place with a record of 17–7 and a spread of +2364, highlighting his competitive ability. The championship underscored Pakistan’s growing strength in the Scrabble world.
Affan’s victory also made history as he joined his brother, Ali Salman, who won the World Youth Scrabble title in 2022. This marks the first time two brothers have won the championship in its history.
Pakistan took home numerous prizes, including the team trophy for being the top team, with four players finishing in the top 10. Bilal Ashar finished 5th, Ibrahim Mansoor 8th, and Aehzam Ahmed 10th. Ashar also claimed the under-14 title.
Additionally, Zayan Zaman won the trophy for the highest single move score, and the adult side tournament was won by Pakistan’s Waseem Khatri.
