Pakistan Knocked Out of Asian Games Kabaddi After Loss to Iran

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Pakistan’s men’s kabaddi team has been eliminated from the Asian Games after losing 51-30 to Iran in their final Group B match.

The defeat ended Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals and brought an end to their long-standing record of advancing to the last four at every Asian Games edition since kabaddi became part of the competition.

Pakistan secured two victories from four group matches during their campaign.

Strong Start Followed by Setback

Pakistan opened their Group B campaign with a convincing 65-22 victory over Malaysia and followed it with another win against Nepal.

The team then faced Thailand in a closely contested encounter that ended in a 48-45 defeat.

Pakistan led Thailand 32-31 at half-time, but the Thai side produced a stronger performance after the interval. Thailand scored 17 points in the second half compared with Pakistan’s 13 to complete the upset.

Thailand had also begun their campaign with a 59-48 win over Nepal, putting themselves in a strong position in the group.

Iran Ends Pakistan’s Campaign

Pakistan needed a positive result against Iran in their final group match to remain in contention for a semi-final place.

However, Iran controlled the contest and secured a 51-30 victory, leaving Pakistan out of the knockout stage.

The result means Pakistan will finish the Asian Games kabaddi competition without a medal.

End of Long Semi-Final Run

Kabaddi has been a regular sport at the Asian Games since 1990, and Pakistan had reached the semi-finals in every edition since its introduction.

Pakistan have previously won seven bronze medals and two silver medals in Asian Games kabaddi.

Their elimination this time ends that run and marks the first Asian Games kabaddi campaign in which Pakistan have failed to reach the semi-final stage and secure a medal.