Pakistan beat India to reach squash semi-finals in Asian Games

In a thrilling showdown at the Asian Games men's team squash event, Pakistan emerged victorious against arch-rivals India, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory.

Pakistan side showcased exceptional skills, and key players Nasir Iqbal and Noor Zaman delivered standout performances to secure this crucial win.

The first match featured an intense battle between Pakistan's Noor Zaman and India's Abhay Singh. Noor Zaman displayed resilience and determination, ultimately triumphing over his Indian counterpart in a gruelling 51-minute contest. The final scoreline for this encounter stood at 8-11, 12-10, 8-11, and 8-11 in favour of Noor Zaman.

In the second game, Asim Khan represented Pakistan against India's Saurav Ghosal. Asim Khan showcased exceptional skills, blanking his Indian opponent with a score of 3-0.

With one win each for Pakistan and India, the match was poised on a knife's edge. The tiebreaker match saw Nasir Iqbal from Pakistan squaring off against India's Mahesh Mangoankar. Nasir Iqbal demonstrated great composure and skill, clinching the decisive victory for Pakistan after a hard-fought contest lasting 58 minutes. The final score for Nasir's triumph read 6-11, 11-13, 11-9, and 8-11.

Prior to this crucial victory against India, Pakistan had also secured convincing wins against Singapore, Nepal, and Qatar, highlighting their dominance in the tournament. Their next challenge awaits as they face Kuwait in the final group match on Thursday, where they will aim to maintain their winning streak and continue their pursuit of the gold medal in the Asian Games Men's Team Squash competition.