Malaysian men's doubles pair Wan Arif Junaidi and Haikal Nazri are set to reunite after three years apart, with the duo preparing to revive their partnership during Malaysia's upcoming tour of India.
Known as the "Patatimo Boys" because of their East Coast roots, Arif from Kemaman, Terengganu, and Haikal from Bachok, Kelantan, previously reached a career-high world ranking of No. 18 before their partnership ended in 2023.
Since then, both players have competed with several partners as the national coaching team searched for combinations that could deliver consistent results.
Haikal found success with Choong Hon Jian, winning the 2023 Syed Modi International and Guwahati Masters, followed by the 2024 Orleans Masters. Arif, meanwhile, teamed up with several players, including Yap Roy King, with whom he won the 2024 Macau Open.
Their reunion has been arranged by national men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who believes the pair's experience and individual ability make them worth another opportunity. With Roy King now partnered with Aaron Tai, the coaching team has a chance to bring Arif and Haikal back together.
However, Herry has made it clear that the reunion will initially be treated as a trial rather than a long-term commitment.
"Among all the players, Arif and Haikal are the most senior. In terms of individual quality, they are both good players, so we thought, why not give them a try and see how things go?" Herry explained.
The coach said no specific targets had been set for the pair yet. Their performances during the Indian tour will help determine whether the partnership has the potential to continue.
The duo are scheduled to compete in three tournaments: the Syed Modi International, a Super 300 event from November 10 to 15, followed by the Guwahati Masters from December 1 to 6 and the Odisha Masters from December 8 to 13, both Super 100 tournaments.
Before beginning their new partnership, Arif and Haikal will complete their existing commitments with their respective partners at the Kaohsiung Masters.
Herry also acknowledged that both players may have developed different playing styles during their time apart. Rebuilding their understanding on court will therefore be an important part of the trial, particularly as they adjust to each other's current strengths and tactics.
Their previous success provides a foundation, but the reunion does not guarantee an immediate return to their former form. The upcoming tournaments will offer the first indication of whether their experience and familiarity can translate into strong results once again.
For Malaysian badminton, the reunion offers another opportunity to strengthen the men's doubles lineup. Whether the Patatimo Boys can rediscover their old chemistry remains to be seen, but their performances in India will be closely watched as the coaching team evaluates its options for the future.
