Yonex-Sunrise Int’l Series: Three Bangladesh pairs march into semifinals

Bangladesh's dominance at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Series continued on Thursday as three home men's doubles pairs advanced to the semifinals, underlining a memorable run for the hosts.

After scripting history a day earlier by sending four pairs into the quarterfinals, the home shuttlers maintained their momentum, winning three of the four last-eight encounters to secure places in the final four.

Bangladesh's semifinalists will return to the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium later on Thursday night, with their sights firmly set on a place in the final.

Top seed Al-Amin Jumar, who suffered an early setback in the mixed doubles alongside Urmi Akter in the morning, bounced back strongly in the men's doubles. Partnering Moazzem Hossain Ohidul, Jumar produced a composed display to defeat the England–Australia combination in straight games, 21-14, 25-23, sealing a semifinal berth.

Another Bangladesh pair to impress was Gaurab Singh and Tanvir Islam, who eased past Vietnam's Thanh-Dan N duo 21-15, 21-15 to book their place in the last four. Completing the trio, Mohammad Naim and Mizanur Rahman outplayed India's Pradeep Kumar and Atul Kumar brothers to continue the hosts' remarkable surge.

There was, however, a note of disappointment as Riyadul Islam and Tanoy Saha, products of the Elora Academy in Dinajpur, fell short in their quarterfinal, losing 9-21, 13-21 to Thailand's Lothong–Tachin pair.

Even so, with three pairs in the semifinals, Bangladesh stand on the brink of further history, carrying both belief and momentum into the decisive stages of the tournament.