From LCQ to EWC Tekken Champion, M. Zubair stunned the esports world with his unstoppable skills. He embodied the true meaning of the phrase: he came, he saw, he conquered.
Who Is M. Zubair?
M. Zubair Abdulsamad, a 26‑year‑old Tekken 8 player from Pakistan, represents AG.AL Club. Known for his skill with Paul and Dragunov, he shocked the esports world by winning the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC 26). His journey from local tournaments to the global stage is a story of persistence and discipline.
Early Triumphs in Pakistan
Before stepping onto the world stage, Zubair proved himself at home. At Pakistan Tekken League Lahore 2026, an offline event with 108 competitors, he battled through the bracket and defeated Nouman Ch in the Grand Finals (0‑3, 2‑3). That victory earned him 150 ranking points and set the tone for his international breakthrough.
At the end of July, Zubair entered the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) in France — a Tier‑1 event with 444 players. Against all odds, he once again defeated Nouman Ch to secure his spot in the EWC main event. His qualification earned him the prestigious Jafonso Award, recognizing his rare achievement of qualifying from LCQ and then winning the championship.
Legendary Wins at EWC 26
Grand Finals vs LowHigh (South Korea): Zubair stunned fans by sweeping the EWC 2025 runner‑up 5‑0 in under 12 minutes.
Clashes with Arslan Ash (Pakistan): Facing the 8‑time EVO Champion, Zubair won twice — 3‑0 in group stage and 5‑4 in semi‑finals, proving his dominance against Pakistan’s most decorated Tekken player.
“I have been practicing a lot in Pakistan. There’s a specific friend of mine who actually played with me, and he also prepared me. I’m really grateful to him. When he finds out that I have won the Esports World Cup, he’s going to be very happy. He plays a very pivotal role in my success today.”
His humility and gratitude highlight the support system behind his success.
Prize Pool Earnings
By winning EWC 26 Tekken 8, Zubair secured a $250,000 prize pool share, adding his name to the list of Pakistan’s highest‑earning esports champions.
Keys to Success
Zubair’s journey shows that practice and hard work are the ultimate tools. His relentless training, strategic mindset, and ability to adapt under pressure transformed him from a local contender into a global champion.
Famous Players on M. Zubair Tekken Champion
Ulsan, the 2‑time Esports World Cup champion, said:
Get ready for the EWC 2026 Tekken 8 offline event, featuring thrilling matches on PlayStation 5! Scheduled from August 4 to August 7 in Paris, this Tier 1 competition will showcase 32 of the world’s best players vying for an impressive $1 million prize pool. Don’t miss this chance to witness top-tier gaming at its finest!
While global giants from across the world are flying to France to claim their share of the glory, one specific country enters the tournament with a legendary reputation that makes it the ultimate threat to the bracket.
The Story of Pakistan: Tekken’s Secret Superpower
Away from big television cameras and bright stages, Pakistan has quietly become home to some of the best Tekken players in the world. The country’s gaming scene grows at a completely local level. Young people here have an amazing, natural talent for the game. They do not practice on expensive gaming computers at home. Instead, they learn by playing against each other in crowded arcade shops tucked inside the busy local marketplaces of everyday cities.
World Champions learn from Pakistani tekken Masters
The gaming world first discovered this secret because of Chikurin, a legendary Japanese professional player who is both a Tekken World Tour Champion and an EVO Champion. Back then, Chikurin was consistently making it into the global Top 8, but he could never seem to go any further. Seeking a breakthrough, he heard rumors about passionate, extraordinarily skilled players like Arslan Ash dominating in Pakistan. He thought that by visiting the country, he could break his limits and improve his own game.
When he arrived, what he found shocked him. This world-class champion was beaten again and again by local arcade players who were completely unknown to the public. Reflecting on his journey in a touching Evo FGC Video on YouTube, Chikurin shared:
“There I lost to many, and there were many skilled players than me. I learned tactics from Pakistani players and incorporated them into my own playstyle. I think that it contributed to my results that year.”
His prediction was entirely right. After absorbing the aggressive Pakistani playstyle, Chikurin went on to conquer the globe, winning the Tekken World Tour Finals in 2019 for Tekken 7, and later, EVO Japan 2024 for Tekken 8. Yet, he felt deeply for the local players he left behind, noting with regret that a major lack of financial sponsorships and travel visas kept these brilliant minds from traveling overseas to create their own unbelievable game records.
But true talent cannot be hidden forever. Arslan Ash single-handedly broke those walls down, overcoming massive travel troubles to become a global superstar and an 8-time world champion. His success forced foreign professionals to fly to Pakistan just to study how the locals play so well.
Because of this hard-fought legacy, the Esports World Cup 2026 will welcome a strong team of Pakistani players to Paris. But before they can take home the trophy, they must survive a very difficult tournament system designed to test them to their limits.
Inside the Arena: How the Tournament Bracket Works
Here is a simple look at how the high-stakes matches will work:
The event unfolds across three intense, ruthless phases—from opening group battles to the grand playoffs—each designed to test peak skill, endurance, and strategy. The Esports World Cup format is deliberately grueling to ensure that only the most deserving player takes home the crown. Because the double-elimination layers give everyone a fair chance to climb back, there is no room for excuses—when the dust settles, everyone knows the true best player is holding the trophy.
The visual below breaks down every stage, showing exactly how players advance toward the ultimate $1M championship.
The Pakistani Contingent: Roster, Qualifications, and Teams
Pakistan has 7 players officially locked into the main 32-player global bracket. An additional player, Nouman Ch, will look to bring that total to 8 as he fights through the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) for one of the final 4 seats.
After a dramatic run at EWC 2025, Arslan Ash and the top Pakistani contenders are heading to Paris to challenge the reigning back-to-back global champion, Ulsan.
Here is the finalized list of the qualified players, their official e-clubs, and how they earned their spots:
Arslan Ash: The legendary 8x EVO Champion qualified directly through his dominant performance at DreamHack Atlanta and will compete under the Twisted Minds banner.
Atif Butt: Qualified natively through the Tekken World Tour (TWT) global standings and will represent Team Falcons.
Farzeen: Qualified via TWT global points and will be competing under Team Falcons.
Usama Abbasi: Earned his spot through the TWT standings and will play under Team Falcons.
The Jon: Secured his ticket to Paris from the TWT standings and will play under the Al Qadsiah banner.
Hafiz (Hafiz Tanveer): Earned his grand qualification through a spectacular run at EVO Japan under the Twisted Minds banner.
Qasim Meer: Snatched his direct global invite at the premier EVO tournament and will play under The Vicious.
The Main Event Contenders
Nouman Ch & M. Zubair: Following their performance in the EWC Last Chance Qualifier (July 31–August 2), both players have successfully secured their spots and have been selected to join their fellow countrymen in the main event.
Prize Pool for EWC 2026 Tekken 8
A life-changing amount of money is on the line in Paris. The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 Tekken 8 tournament features a massive $1,000,000 USD prize pool, ensuring that every single one of the 32 world-class competitors walks away with a significant payout. While simply qualifying guarantees a baseline paycheck, the stakes skyrocket as players survives each brutal elimination phase. From massive team standings points to the historic $250,000 grand prize reserved exclusively for the champion, here is the official, complete breakdown of how the prize money will be distributed:
So,
As the world watches the screens ignite from August 4 to August 7, an entire nation stands behind them, carrying a quiet, universal hope. May these legendary competitors create a historic new chapter on the grandest stage of them all. Pakistan is ready. The world is watching. Good luck to our players—bring the trophy home!
Both are Champions, both are Friends and both are Pakistanis.
Tekken’s journey in the FGC feels incomplete without the contributions of Pakistani players and if you know the game, then you have definitely heard the names Arslan ash and Atif butt.
Arslan Ash, a seven-time EVO champion and Tekken World Tour 2023 winner, is currently representing Twisted Minds. Atif Butt, the Tekken World Tour 2022 champion and IESF World Champion 2023, now plays under Team Falcons. Both players hail from Pakistan and began their journeys in Lahore’s arcade scene, rising from local competition to become global icons of the Tekken community.
Who is Arslan Ash?
Arslan Ash Siddique is a Lahori who began playing Tekken in his early childhood. From the start, Arslan’s dominance was clear; he defeated anyone who challenged him in local arcades. With his friends, including Atif, he declared: “My game is beyond limits. I want to compete with the legends of Tekken like Knee and Ulsan, and I know I will defeat them.” At the time, few believed him.
Yet his determination, consistency, and willingness to take risks pushed him forward. Borrowing money, relying on friends’ support, and carrying his mother’s prayers, Arslan traveled to Oman for his first international competition and amazingly won.
From that moment, he never looked back. He went on to defeat South Korea’s legendary players like Knee, Ulsan, and LowHigh in multiple tournaments, establishing himself as nearly invincible on the global stage.
Who is Atif Butt?
“People know me as the Tekken World Tour Champion, Atif Butt!” That’s how Atif Ijaz Butt introduces himself to those unfamiliar with his legacy. Belongs to Gujranwala, a city in Punjab, Pakistan, Atif has been playing Tekken and other fighting games since 2005. His journey from local competitions to becoming a global champion reflects years of dedication, skill, and an unbreakable passion for the fighting game community.
Gameplay
Arslan’s Style
Arslan Ash’s style is often described as calm and lowkey. He plays with his opponents’ nerves, keeping his composure under the pressure of finals and large crowds. Rather than locking into one character, he experiments and switches until he finds the one that feels most natural, focusing on how the character evolves in his hands. This adaptability makes him unpredictable and hard to counter.
Interestingly, he has now become strongly associated with Nina, a character he has used to secure more victories than anyone else, further cementing his reputation as one of Tekken’s most versatile champions.
Atif’s Style
Atif Butt’s style is aggressive and fearless. He overwhelms opponents with sharp moves and lightning-fast actions, often turning his enemy’s character into pulp under relentless pressure. He frequently uses characters like Anna, Jin, and Dragunov to deliver this punishing style.
Known as a fearsome competitor, Atif thrives on momentum; once he gains control, he dismantles his rivals with speed and precision. This intensity, combined with his ability to sustain pressure throughout a match, makes him one of the most dangerous and dominant players in the Tekken scene.
Arslan Ash – Career Highlights
7× EVO Champion
EVO Japan 2019 defeated Alexandre Laverez from Philippines
Widely credited with putting Pakistan’s Tekken scene on the global map
At the Esports World Cup 2025, Arslan Ash secured 14th position and earned $20,000 in prize money.
Atif Butt – Career Highlights
Tekken World Tour Champion 2022
Defeated JeonDDing in the grand finals to claim the world title.
IESF World Champion 2023
Represented Pakistan and secured victory on the global stage.
Tokyo Tekken Masters 2019 Winner
Shocked the international scene by defeating top Japanese and Korean players with Akuma.
CEO 2025 Tekken 8 Champion
Dominated the competition with his aggressive style and versatile character pool defeating Ulsan in the Finals.
Other Notable Wins
Consistent victories against elite players such as Knee, Ulsan, and Chikurin in various tournaments.
Helped Pakistan win the Gamers8 Tekken Nations Cup 2024, defeating South Korea alongside Arslan Ash and Khan.
Atif Butt finished 12th at the Esports World Cup 2025, two ranks above Arslan Ash, and took home $27,500 in prize money.
Their Friendship
Arslan Ash and Atif Butt have risen as nation’s brightest Tekken stars. Their journeys, built on modest beginnings and relentless dedication (practicing together for continuous 10 to 12 hours or more for the event), have carried them to international fame since 2019. Training side by side and traveling together, their bond is reflected both in competition and beyond.
Though they often face each other as fierce rivals, their friendship endures; victories are celebrated with warm embraces, reminding the world that they are not just competitors, but brothers in the journey. As Arslan said on his X account after winning EVO Championship against Atif in 2024: ‘Despite the rivalry, I believe we can both win more tournaments together.’
As their careers continue to unfold, one thing is certain: their friendship and passion will keep inspiring the next generation of esports champions. Yup! Absolutely.
