ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s squash campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 gathered further momentum on Friday as Muhammad Ashab Irfan and Noor Zaman powered their way into the men’s singles semifinals with impressive victories at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.
The double semifinal qualification has also assured Pakistan of a medal in the individual squash event, marking a significant achievement for the country’s squash contingent at the Asian Games.
Muhammad Ashab Irfan produced a strong comeback against India’s Veer Chotrani, recovering from a first-game setback to secure a 3-1 victory. Ashab lost the opening game 6-11 but responded emphatically, winning the next three games 11-8, 11-3 and 11-3 in a 41-minute quarterfinal.
Noor Zaman also advanced to the last four after overcoming Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung 3-1 in 28 minutes.
Noor dominated the opening two games 11-7 and 11-6 before Leung fought back to take the third 11-3. The Pakistani player, however, regained control in the fourth game and closed out the match 11-4.
The victories continued the impressive run of Pakistan’s two men’s singles players, who had also registered straight-game wins in the round of 16 on Thursday. Noor defeated Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi 3-0, while Ashab overcame Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al Nasfan 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan’s Muhammad Asim Khan and Mehwish Ali were eliminated from the mixed doubles event after losing their quarterfinal against Hong Kong’s Yee Lam Toby Tse and Cheuk Nam Lai 0-2. The Hong Kong pair won 11-6 and 11-7 in a 20-minute encounter.
Pakistan will now have two opportunities to advance to the men’s singles final when the semifinals are played on Saturday.
Ashab Irfan will face India’s Abhay Singh at 2:45 pm JST (10:45 am Pakistan time), while Noor Zaman is scheduled to play his semifinal at 4:15 pm JST (12:15 pm Pakistan time), with his opponent yet to be confirmed.
The squash competition is being held at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena, with Pakistan’s individual-event campaign having started on September 23.
