Pakistan’s men’s squash team survived a gripping semifinal against Hong Kong to reach the Asian Games final in Nagoya. The 2-1 victory guaranteed Pakistan at least a silver medal and kept its gold-medal hopes alive.
The semifinal at Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena produced three demanding matches. Pakistan eventually recovered from an early setback and secured the decisive victory through Nasir Iqbal.
The result follows Pakistan’s quarterfinal victory over South Korea. That win had already guaranteed the country a team squash medal, while Thursday’s victory upgraded it to silver.
Noor Zaman Faces Early Setback
Pakistan’s top-ranked player Noor Zaman opened the semifinal against Hong Kong’s experienced Tsz Kwan Lau. Their opening game quickly developed into a closely contested battle.
Lau initially took the lead, but Noor responded and kept pace through the early exchanges. The Hong Kong player eventually moved ahead 8-4, yet Noor fought back with three consecutive points.
The score reached 9-9 before Lau again moved toward game point. Noor saved the opportunity and then created two game points of his own.
He converted the second chance to take the opening game 12-10.
However, Lau responded strongly in the second game. He moved ahead 3-1 before Noor reduced the gap to one point.
Lau then produced a decisive run, scoring six straight points to move from 4-3 to 10-3. He closed the game 11-3 after just six minutes.
Lau Puts Hong Kong Ahead
The third game followed another closely contested start. Noor opened with a three-point advantage, but Lau gradually recovered and levelled the score at 3-3.
The Hong Kong veteran then began to control the exchanges. He moved ahead 8-4, while Noor attempted to close the gap.
Noor reduced the deficit to 9-6, but Lau reached game point and converted his first opportunity. He won the game 11-6 in seven minutes.
Lau therefore entered the fourth game with the advantage and quickly moved ahead 5-1.
Noor tried to respond, but Lau continued to control the match. He extended his advantage to 9-3 before reaching match point.
Lau eventually completed an 11-5 victory in five minutes. His 3-1 win put Hong Kong ahead 1-0 in the semifinal.
Ashab Irfan Brings Pakistan Back
With Pakistan needing a response, Mohammad Ashab Irfan stepped onto the court against world No. 57 Chi Hin Henry Leung.
Leung started the opening game strongly, but Ashab quickly levelled the score. He then produced four consecutive points to establish a 4-1 advantage.
Ashab continued to build pressure and eventually moved 8-2 ahead. Leung responded with three points, reducing the deficit to 8-4.
However, Ashab remained composed and reached game point. Leung saved the first opportunity, but Ashab converted the next one to win 11-5.
Ashab Saves Four Game Points
The second game became one of the most important moments of the semifinal.
Leung immediately raced into a 6-0 lead, putting Ashab under significant pressure. However, the Pakistani player stopped the slide with four consecutive points.
Ashab then gradually fought his way back into the contest. He reduced the deficit to 7-5, then 8-6 and eventually 9-6.
Leung reached game point after a long rally, but Ashab refused to give up. He saved three consecutive game points and eventually levelled the score at 10-10.
Leung earned another game point, but Ashab saved it again. He then created his first lead of the game by reaching game point himself.
Ashab converted immediately to win 13-11 after 14 minutes. The victory gave Pakistan a 2-0 advantage in games.
He carried that momentum into the third game and moved 5-1 ahead. Leung continued fighting and reduced the deficit to 8-5.
Ashab nevertheless maintained control and reached match point at 10-5. Leung saved two match points, but Ashab eventually closed the game 11-7.
The victory levelled the overall semifinal at 1-1 and sent the tie into a decisive third match.
Nasir Iqbal Delivers the Decisive Win
The responsibility then fell on experienced player Nasir Iqbal, who faced Hong Kong’s Cheuk Nam Lai.
The opening game remained extremely close, with both players repeatedly exchanging the lead. Nasir eventually levelled the score at 9-9 and reached game point.
Lai saved the opportunity, levelled at 10-10 and then converted his own game point. He took the opening game 12-10 after 15 minutes.
Nasir responded immediately in the second game. Lai initially moved two points ahead, but Nasir produced six consecutive points to seize control.
Although Lai briefly reduced the deficit to 6-3, Nasir responded with another four-point run. He reached game point and converted immediately to win 11-3.
The third game again began with Nasir establishing an early advantage. He moved 5-1 ahead before Lai attempted another comeback.
Lai reduced the gap, but Nasir continued to find answers and eventually reached match point. After Lai saved one opportunity, Nasir won the game 11-9.
That left Pakistan one game away from reaching the final.
Nasir Holds His Nerve in Dramatic Finish
The fourth game produced another dramatic battle between the two players.
Nasir established a 7-2 lead, but Lai refused to surrender. The Hong Kong player fought back to 8-7 and then moved within one point at 9-8.
Nasir reached match point, but Lai saved it and levelled the score at 10-10.
Lai then twice reached game point, yet Nasir held firm and denied both opportunities. The Pakistani veteran eventually earned another match point and converted it.
Nasir won the fourth game 14-12 after 16 minutes, completing Pakistan’s 2-1 semifinal victory.
Pakistan Secures Asian Games Squash Silver
The victory guarantees Pakistan at least a silver medal in the men’s team squash event. The team will now play for gold against the winner of the other semifinal between India and Malaysia.
Pakistan’s team includes Noor Zaman, Ashab Irfan, Nasir Iqbal and Asim Khan. The same core had won silver at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games after losing the final to India.
Pakistan last won the Asian Games squash team title in 2010. In that final in Guangzhou, Pakistan defeated Malaysia 2-0.
A gold medal in Nagoya would therefore end a 16-year wait for another team squash title at the Asian Games.
Ghulam Mustafa Bashir Wins Shooting Bronze
Pakistan also added another medal through veteran shooter Ghulam Mustafa Bashir.
Bashir secured bronze in the men’s 25-metre rapid-fire pistol event at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery.
He had earlier qualified for the eight-man final after finishing sixth overall. He recorded 578 points and 19 inner tens across the two qualification stages.
Bashir then produced a composed performance during the high-pressure final to finish third.
China and South Korea occupied the top positions, while Bashir held his nerve to secure Pakistan’s first shooting medal of the Games.
Pakistan’s squash team will now turn its attention to the gold-medal match. Meanwhile, Bashir’s bronze adds another podium finish to the country’s Asian Games campaign.
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