Pakistan’s men’s squash team defeated South Korea 2-0 to secure at least a bronze medal and book a semi-final against Hong Kong at the 2026 Asian Games.
NAGOYA: Pakistan secured at least a bronze medal in men’s squash at the 2026 Asian Games on Wednesday after defeating South Korea 2-0 in the quarter-finals, while the women’s team’s campaign ended with a 2-1 loss to China.
At the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena, Pakistan’s men won both singles matches to seal the tie without needing a deciding rubber.
Mohammad Ashab Irfan put Pakistan ahead against South Korea’s Na Jooyoung. The 22-year-old recovered from a closely contested opening to win the first game 11-5 before taking the second 11-8.
Jooyoung attempted to fight back in the third game, but Ashab remained composed and completed an 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 victory in less than 30 minutes.
World No. 33 Noor Zaman then had the opportunity to secure the tie for Pakistan against Seojin Oh. Noor controlled the opening two games, winning 11-4 and 11-5.
Oh responded in the third game, reducing the deficit with an 11-8 win. Noor, however, quickly restored his authority in the fourth, building an early advantage before producing a decisive seven-point run to win 11-2.
The 2-0 victory sends Pakistan into Thursday’s semi-final against Hong Kong, which defeated Qatar in the other quarter-final.
Noor and Ashab have also secured bronze medals in the individual singles competition, giving Pakistan another opportunity to add to its squash medal tally at the Games.
Women’s campaign ends
Pakistan’s women were eliminated after suffering a 2-1 defeat to China in their second round-robin qualifier.
Thirteen-year-old Mahnoor Ali lost the opening match to Ziyi Liu, who secured an 11-4, 11-8, 11-2 victory.
Sana Bahadar then levelled the tie with a strong performance against Yuning Zhang. She won 11-7, 11-9, 11-2 to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive.
The deciding match featured two teenagers, with China’s 14-year-old Ziyuan Yin defeating Sehrish Ali 11-3, 11-7, 11-2.
Pakistan’s women had earlier suffered a 3-0 defeat to Macau, ending their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Bashir makes strong shooting start
Elsewhere, three-time Olympian Ghulam Mustafa Bashir made a strong start in the men’s 25-metre rapid-fire pistol qualification.
Bashir scored 289 points with eight inner tens in the opening stage, recording series scores of 95, 96 and 98.
He currently sits eighth and will compete in the second stage on Thursday. His next 30 shots will determine his final qualification score and whether he advances to the final.
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