Summary
Pakistan secured its second Asian Games medal in squash on Friday. Noor Zaman and Muhammad Ashab Irfan both won their quarter-final matches at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena. The wins guarantee Pakistan at least two bronze medals in the men’s singles event, since losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze under Asian Games rules.
Background
Squash has long been one of Pakistan’s strongest disciplines on the international stage. Pakistan squash produced legends like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, and the sport remains a source of national pride at every Asian Games cycle.
At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Pakistan’s men’s team, which included Noor Zaman, won silver after losing the final to India. That result set expectations high heading into the Nagoya edition, and this year’s Pakistan squash Asian Games campaign has already matched that promise in the individual event.
Details
Third-seeded Noor Zaman defeated Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung in a tight four-game contest to book his semi-final spot. Leung pushed Noor hard, but the Peshawar-born player held his composure in the closing stages to close out the match.
Fifth-seeded Ashab Irfan faced a tougher test against India’s fourth-seeded Veer Chotrani. Ashab dropped the opening game 6-11 before turning the match around, winning the next three games 11-8, 11-6 and 11-6. The comeback avenged Pakistan’s defeat to India in the men’s team final at the previous Asian Games.
Both players had already reached the quarter-finals without dropping a single game. Noor beat Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi 11-4, 11-9, 11-4, and Ashab defeated Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al Alnafsan 11-9, 11-3, 11-5 in the round of 16.
Quotes
Neither the Pakistan Squash Federation nor the Pakistan Olympic Association had issued an official statement on the semi-final qualification at the time of writing. This article will be updated once players or officials comment publicly.
Impact
This result matters beyond the scoreline. Pakistan squash Asian Games participation has been rebuilding in recent years, and two singles semi-finalists from the same country is a rare achievement in a draw of this size. It also puts Pakistan in position to add to its overall medal count at a Games where its athletes have won only two bronze medals so far.
For Noor and Ashab personally, the semi-final run adds to growing individual reputations. Noor, grandson of squash great Qamar Zaman, has been building toward senior-level success since his under-23 world title last year. Ashab’s win over India also carries symbolic weight, given the rivalry between the two squash programs.
Conclusion
Noor Zaman and Ashab Irfan will play their respective semi-finals on Saturday, with a place in Sunday’s final on the line. A win by either player would secure Pakistan’s first individual Asian Games squash gold in years. Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, Pakistan’s medal tally in squash for this Games is already assured.
FAQs
How many medals did Pakistan win at the Asian Games?
As of this stage of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Pakistan’s overall tally stood at two bronze medals before the squash semi-final qualification, with the squash results adding at least one more guaranteed medal to that count. The full tally continues to update as more events conclude across the Games.
How many medals are in the Asian Games 2026?
The 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya feature medal events across 22 sports, with gold, silver, and bronze awarded in most individual and team competitions. The exact total number of medals varies by sport and discipline, since some events award multiple bronze medals, as is the case in squash.
Has Pakistan ever won Asian Games medals in squash before?
Yes. Pakistan squash has a long medal history at the Asian Games, including a silver medal in the men’s team event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Mansoor Zaman also won individual silver and bronze medals in men’s singles squash at earlier editions of the Games, showing the sport’s consistent record for the country.
