The word game Scrabble, which may appear archaic to some, has gained a devoted following in Pakistan. It is a holdover from when English was made the official language of education during the British colonial era.

Urdu and English coexist in daily life, with English still being Pakistan's official language. Many young Pakistanis view Scrabble as a means of success rather than merely a game.

Once infamous for its hardships, Karachi is now a center of brilliance, and this is where Bilal's adventure started. Top players receive scholarships, and schools here provide Scrabble lessons.

Because they believe that play helps children develop their vocabulary and critical thinking skills, parents encourage their kids to play. Bilal's family is no different. Manaal, his sister, is the best Scrabble player among women in Pakistan. She says, "You must have resilience." "If not, Scrabble isn't your game."

Bilal competed against players of various ages at a recent Scrabble tournament held in a hotel in Karachi. Some of them were so young that they had no feet. Others had years of expertise and were seasoned players. As words like "daunters," "imarets," and "trienes" were spelled out, the room hummed with focus. Each player's turn was indicated by the ticking of chess clocks.

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Bilal's triumph over an opponent with grey hair was evidence of his diligence. He later stated, "You have to trust the process." "The results will come, but it takes time." His perseverance has paid off.

In addition to becoming a world champion, he is a member of a burgeoning movement in Pakistan where Scrabble is seen as a tool for opening doors rather than just a game.

For a lot of people, playing Scrabble opens doors to jobs and scholarships. Manaal says, "People are interested because it provides the vocab." However, it goes beyond words alone. Players of the game learn patience, strategy, and resilience from Scrabble, which are lifelong abilities.