Pakistan secured another medal at the Asian Games after Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan won their respective men’s singles quarterfinal matches to reach the semifinals of the squash competition.
Third-seeded Noor defeated Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung, while fifth-seeded Ashab overcame India’s Veer Chotrani at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena, putting Pakistan into the medal rounds of the event.
Noor, Pakistan’s top-ranked player in the draw, faced a tough challenge from Leung but held his nerve to secure a place in the last four.
Ashab also delivered a strong performance against fourth-seeded Chotrani. After losing the opening game, the Pakistani recovered to win the match 3-1.
Ashab prevailed 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6, avenging Pakistan’s defeat to India in the men’s team final at the previous Asian Games.
The victories mean Pakistan are assured of at least a bronze medal in the men’s singles competition, as both losing semifinalists are awarded bronze medals.
It is the first time since 2002 that two Pakistani players have reached the semifinals of the men’s singles squash competition at the Asian Games.
Both players had reached the quarterfinals without dropping a game.
In the round of 16, Noor defeated Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi 11-4, 11-9, 11-4, while Ashab beat Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al Alnafsan 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.
Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan will now play their respective semifinals on Saturday, with places in Sunday’s final at stake.
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