Pakistan Squash Players Reach Last 16 as Kabaddi Team Suffer First Asian Games Defeat
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan made a positive start in squash at the Asian Games on Wednesday, with Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab advancing to the men’s singles last-16 stage. However, Pakistan’s kabaddi team suffered its first defeat of the tournament against Thailand.
Noor Zaman, Pakistan’s top-ranked player, defeated the Philippines’ Van Aero Dalida 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 in just 20 minutes at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.
Mohammad Ashab also recorded a convincing win, beating Lebanon’s Jason Karam 11-2, 11-3, 11-0 in 18 minutes.
Noor, who is ranked 29th in the PSA standings, will face Ammar Altamimi in the round of 16 on Thursday. Ashab, ranked 49th in the world, will take on Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al Alnafsan for a place in the quarter-finals.
Pakistan’s women’s squash players, however, were unable to progress. Mahnoor Ali lost to Singapore’s Wai Yhann Au Yeong 11-9, 11-3, 11-8, while Sana Bahadur was beaten by Iran’s Najmeh Boushehrizadeh 11-9, 6-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6.
In mixed doubles, Asim Khan and Mehwish Ali defeated Nepal’s Arhant Simha and Bipana Bhlon 11-6, 11-10 to move into the last 16.
Pakistan Kabaddi Team Lose to Thailand
Pakistan’s kabaddi team suffered its first loss at the Asian Games after Thailand secured a 48-45 victory in their Group B match at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium.
Pakistan led 23-16 at half-time, but Thailand produced a strong second-half performance to turn the match around. Thailand scored 32 points after the break compared with Pakistan’s 22.
Thailand’s defensive effort proved important, with the team recording eight all-outs during the second half and four super-tackle points.
Pakistan had won their opening two group matches and will now face Iran in their final Group B fixture on Thursday.
Mixed Results in Other Events
In swimming, Pakistan’s Hareem Malik finished fifth in her heat of the women’s 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:21.12. She finished 22nd overall among 25 competitors.
Pakistan also faced defeats in table tennis. Abbas Khan and Mohammad Khan lost to Iran’s Noshad Alamiyan and Nima Alamiyan, while Taha Bilal and Abdul Khan were beaten by Bahrain’s Mohammed Alaali and Sayed Mahfoodh.
Kulsoom Khan also exited the women’s singles competition after losing to Syria’s Hend Zaza.
In fencing, Mohammad Ejaz Nauman finished his men’s sabre campaign without a win after losing all five of his group bouts.
Pakistan’s Usman Khan finished 16th in individual eventing after completing all three phases with a combined penalty score of 55.90. He moved up from 20th place following a clean cross-country round with time penalties.
In rowing, Asad Iqbal missed qualification for the Final A of the lightweight men’s single sculls after finishing fourth in his heat. He recorded a time of 7:43.54 over 2,000 metres.
Asad will compete in the Final B on Thursday, which will determine positions from seventh to 12th.
