Asian Games 2026: Pakistan Continue Winning Run in Hockey and Kabaddi
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan continued their strong performance at the Asian Games 2026 on Tuesday, securing victories in both hockey and kabaddi.
However, the country had a difficult day in fencing and soft tennis, while Pakistan’s equestrian representative also remained in contention after the dressage phase.
Pakistan Beat Uzbekistan in Hockey
Pakistan secured their second consecutive win in Pool B of the men’s hockey competition after defeating Uzbekistan 5-1 at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium.
The match remained goalless during the opening quarter before Mohammad Ammad broke the deadlock in the 18th minute.
Uzbekistan responded before half-time, with Shokhrukhbek Salimjonov converting a penalty corner in the 30th minute to make it 1-1.
Pakistan came out strongly after the break. Sufyan Khan restored the lead in the 33rd minute through a penalty corner.
Abdul Rehman then extended Pakistan’s advantage in the 40th minute, also converting from a penalty corner.
Abu Mahmood added another goal from a penalty, while Sufyan Khan scored his second of the match in the 57th minute.
Pakistan had earlier defeated Thailand 9-0 in their opening match.
The national team will next face China on Thursday. China defeated Thailand 8-1 in their latest match.
Kabaddi Team Also Secures Second Win
Pakistan’s men’s kabaddi team also registered its second victory after beating Nepal 58-43 in a Group B match at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium.
Captain Mudassar Ali led the team as Pakistan established a 30-17 lead by half-time.
Nepal improved after the break and made the second half more competitive, but Pakistan’s early advantage proved decisive.
Pakistan’s defence forced six all-outs, while the raiders collected eight bonus points.
Pakistan will face Thailand in their next Group B match on Wednesday.
Difficult Day for Pakistan in Fencing
Pakistan’s Baryal Khan and Mohammed Yaseen Khan faced tough competition in the men’s individual foil event at Aichi Sky Expo Hall.
Baryal lost all five of his bouts, including defeats against India’s Sachin, South Korea’s Jeonghyun Youn, Mongolia’s Chingis Narmandakh, Kazakhstan’s Galim Nurumov and Chinese Taipei’s Chih-Chieh Chen.
Eighteen-year-old Yaseen also struggled, losing four of his five bouts by 5-0. He scored one point in his 5-1 defeat against Kazakhstan’s Timofey Semyonov.
He also suffered 5-0 defeats against competitors from Qatar, South Korea, Oman and China.
Usman Khan Finishes 19th in Dressage
Pakistan’s Usman Khan finished 19th among 32 competitors in the individual eventing dressage phase.
The 45-year-old rider, competing on Eden du Veret, recorded 36.70 penalties, equivalent to 63.33 per cent.
He will now look to improve his position in the remaining jumping and cross-country phases of the event.
Soft Tennis Players Face Setbacks
Pakistan also had a difficult day in the soft tennis singles competition.
Eraj Zaidi and Kainaat Shallwani both lost their matches 4-0 at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Centre.
In the men’s competition, Mohammad Ali and Hussain Arain also failed to secure a win, losing their matches without taking a game.
Pakistan will now look to build on its strong performances in hockey and kabaddi as the Asian Games competition continues.
