Pakistan Reach Asian Games Men’s Squash Team Final

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Pakistan defeated Hong Kong 2-1 in a dramatic semi-final on Thursday to book their place in the men’s team squash final at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.

Pakistan had to recover from an early setback after Noor Zaman lost the opening match to Hong Kong’s Kwan Tsz Lau.

Zaman won the first game 12-10 but could not maintain his advantage. Kwan fought back to win the next three games 11-3, 11-6 and 11-5, giving Hong Kong a 1-0 lead in the tie.

Ashab Irfan then levelled the contest with a convincing performance against Henry Chi Hin Leung. Irfan won in straight games, taking the match 11-5, 13-11 and 11-7.

The deciding match featured Pakistan’s experienced player Nasir Iqbal against Nam Cheuk Lai.

Iqbal narrowly lost the opening game 12-10 but responded strongly. He won the next three games 11-3, 11-9 and 14-12 to secure a 3-1 victory and send Pakistan into the final.

Pakistan had earlier defeated South Korea 2-0 in the quarter-final on Wednesday.

The national team will now face the winner of the other semi-final between India and Malaysia in Friday’s gold-medal match.

Pakistan’s comeback against Hong Kong means the team is now one victory away from winning the men’s team squash title at the Asian Games.