Noor Zaman, Ashab Irfan Reach Asian Games Squash Semi-Finals

NAGOYA: Pakistan secured another Asian Games medal on Friday after Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan reached the men’s singles squash semi-finals.

Third-seeded Noor defeated Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.

Fifth-seeded Ashab also advanced after beating India’s fourth-seeded Veer Chotrani 3-1.

The victories guarantee Pakistan at least a bronze medal in the men’s singles competition. The losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals.

It is the first time since 2002 that two Pakistani players have reached the Asian Games squash semi-finals.

Ashab Beats Indian Opponent

Ashab recovered from losing the opening game against Chotrani to complete a 3-1 victory.

He won 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.

The victory also avenged Pakistan’s defeat to India in the men’s team final at the previous Asian Games.

Noor, meanwhile, held his nerve against Leung to book his place in the last four.

Both Pakistanis had reached the quarter-finals without dropping a game.

Noor defeated Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 in the last 16.

Ashab beat Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al Alnafsan 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.

Noor and Ashab will play their respective semi-finals on Saturday. A place in Sunday’s final will be at stake.

Mixed Doubles Pair Exit

Pakistan’s mixed doubles pair of Asim Khan and Mehwish Ali lost in the quarter-finals.

The pair had recovered from a game down to reach the last eight. However, they could not produce another comeback.

Hong Kong’s Cheuk Nam Lai and Yee Lam Toby Tse won 11-6, 11-7 in 20 minutes.

Pakistan Exit Fencing Competition

Pakistan’s men’s foil team also exited the Asian Games after losing 45-12 to China at the Aichi Sky Expo.

Mohammad Waqas, Abdul Musawir and Baryal Khan managed eight bout wins across nine relays.

China controlled the contest from the start and secured a comfortable victory.

Pakistan also received one yellow card and one red card during the match.

The defeat ended Pakistan’s campaign in the men’s foil team competition.

Swimmers Fail to Advance

At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Mishael Aisha Hayat Ayub finished second last in her women’s 50-metre butterfly heat.

She recorded a time of 30.95 seconds and finished 25th among 27 competitors.

Chinese Taipei’s An-chi Han claimed the final qualifying spot with a time of 27.13 seconds.

Hamza Asif also failed to progress from his heat in the men’s 50-metre breaststroke.

He finished fifth in his heat in 30.47 seconds and placed 35th among 40 swimmers.

Kazakhstan’s Aibat Myrzamuratov took the final qualifying position with 27.86 seconds.

Badminton Campaign Starts With Defeats

Pakistan suffered defeats in both the men’s singles and mixed doubles at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.

Mohammad Ali Larosh lost his opening singles match to Kazakhstan’s Makhsut Tajibullayev 2-1.

Larosh struggled early and dropped the first game 21-11.

The 30-year-old responded strongly in the second game. He forced 14 breaks before winning 24-22 on his third game point.

The decider remained closely contested. Larosh built a five-point lead but could not maintain it.

Tajibullayev recovered and won 24-22 after Larosh failed to save the second match point.

Larosh then partnered Mahoor Shahzad in the mixed doubles.

The Pakistani pair lost 21-1, 21-10 to South Korea’s Yun Jaeh Kim and Hajeong Jang.

Athletics

In athletics, Pakistan’s Noreen Hussain failed to register a valid mark in the women’s pole vault final.

Despite exits in several events, Pakistan’s squash players ensured another medal for the country with their progress into the men’s singles semi-finals.