The Pakistani squash players, Noor Zaman and Muhammad Ashab Irfan, have done their best to ensure Pakistan’s winning run in the Asian Games 2026 team event as they, along with Asim Khan and Nasir Iqbal, qualified for the final in Nagoya, Japan.
Pakistani team are on the cusp of repeating the history, if they win it would end Pakistan’s 16-year squash gold medal drought.
In case of a win, they would also surpass their 2022 Games result, where they finished with a silver medal, and they lost to India in the final.
This time in the final, the opponents are Malaysia, who were the bronze medallists in the last edition.
The Malaysian team is supported by the 2026 men’s singles champions, Eain Yow Ng, who also defeated Noor Zaman in the semifinal.
They defeated India in the second semifinal of the men’s team tournament, while Pakistan outpowered Hong Kong in their semifinal 2-1.
“Our men’s team is very competent, and they are looking for a breakthrough in their game,” Pakistan squash team leader Sher Bahadur told Lost on the Desk from Japan.
“Noor Zaman and Ashab have the bronze medal, and they are supported by Asim and Nasir, so we are very hopeful that they will win the gold medal this time.”
Pakistan knocked out Korea in the quarterfinal 2-0, and before that they posted clean sweeps against Kuwait 3-0 and Philippines 3-0 in their Pool B matches.
Players Noor and Ashab have been under heavy scrutiny and criticism from the Pakistani media and squash fans for not being able to reach the final of the singles event, but Sher believes that the performance was worthy of praise because no Pakistani has won any medal in it in the last 16 years since 2010.
Sher was part of the closing ceremony of the men’s singles squash event and was with the athletes, and he has been looking after the team along with his co-team leader, the secretary of the Pakistan Squash Federation.
Encourage the players instead of tearing them down
“It was a very good result for Pakistan in the singles tournament, and although their performance was not what we expected, they made their best efforts, and we have to understand that they had tough quarterfinals just the day before,” reflected Sher.
“They couldn’t get the results they wanted, but it is a good result with a medal finish; we’ve still grabbed two bronze medals, which is an improvement as we have not won any medal in the last 16 years at the Asian Games singles event.
“It is an achievement. I was at the medal ceremony; there were two Pakistani flags that were raised. It was a moment of pride; for me personally, I felt honoured to be the team leader here at the Asian Games with these players.
“They are good kids. I have been very fortunate to witness them.”
History bites
Previously, Pakistan took a bronze medal in the team event in the 2018 Games, and a gold medal in the 2010 Games, besides the silver medal in the 2022 Games.
The 2014 Games were the only edition where Pakistan failed to finish on the podium.
-Fin-