Pakistan secure Asian Games squash medal as Noor Zaman, Ashab Irfan reach semifinals

Pakistan secured another medal at the Asian Games after Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan reached the men’s singles semifinals in squash on Friday.

Third-seeded Noor defeated Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung in the quarterfinals, while fifth-seeded Ashab overcame India’s fourth-seeded Veer Chotrani at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.

Noor, Pakistan’s top-ranked player in the draw, held off a strong challenge from Leung to book his place in the last four.

Ashab recovered from losing the opening game against Chotrani to win 3-1. He prevailed 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 to avenge Pakistan’s defeat to India in the men’s team final at the previous Asian Games.

With both Pakistani players reaching the semifinals, the country is assured of at least a bronze medal in the men’s singles competition, as losing semifinalists are awarded bronze medals.

It is the first time since 2002 that two Pakistani players have reached the men’s singles semifinals in squash at the Asian Games.

Both Noor and Ashab had advanced to the quarterfinals without dropping a game.

Noor defeated Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 in the round of 16, while Ashab beat Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al Alnafsan 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.