Nagoya, September 25, 2026: Pakistan secured another medal at the Asian Games on Friday after Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan won their respective men’s singles quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals of the squash competition.
Third-seeded Noor defeated Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung, while fifth-seeded Ashab overcame fourth-seeded India’s Veer Chotrani at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.
Noor, Pakistan’s highest-ranked player in the draw, was pushed hard by Leung but held his composure to book his place in the last four.
Ashab produced a strong comeback against Chotrani, recovering from losing the opening game 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.
The victories assure Pakistan of at least a bronze medal in the men’s singles event, with the losing semi-finalists awarded bronze medals.
It is the first time since 2002 that two Pakistani players have reached the Asian Games squash semi-finals.
Both Noor and Ashab had advanced to the quarter-finals without dropping a game. Noor defeated Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi 11-4, 11-9, 11-4, while Ashab overcame Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al Alnafsan 11-9, 11-3, 11-5 in the last 16 on Thursday.
Noor and Ashab will play their respective semi-finals on Saturday, with places in Sunday’s final at stake.
