Noor, Ashab reach Asian Games squash semifinals, secure Pakistan medal

Pakistan’s Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan reached the men’s singles squash semifinals at the Asian Games on Friday, guaranteeing the country at least a bronze medal.

NAGOYA, Japan: Pakistan’s Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan reached the men’s singles squash semifinals at the Asian Games on Friday, guaranteeing the country at least a bronze medal.

Third-seeded Noor defeated Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung, while fifth-seeded Ashab overcame India’s Veer Chotrani at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.

Noor was pushed by Leung but held his nerve to secure a place in the last four. Ashab recovered from losing the opening game to beat Chotrani 3-1, winning 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.

Noor will face Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng in the first semifinal on Saturday, while Ashab will take on India’s Abhay Singh in the other last-four match.

The victories assured Pakistan of at least a bronze medal in the men’s singles competition, as the losing semifinalists receive bronze.

It is the first time since 2002 that two Pakistani players have reached the Asian Games squash semifinals.

The two Pakistanis had reached the quarterfinals without dropping a game. Noor defeated Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi 11-4, 11-9, 11-4, while Ashab beat Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al Alnafsan 11-9, 11-3, 11-5 in the last 16 on Thursday.

Ashab said he was pleased with the victory and acknowledged the importance of the Asian Games, while describing Chotrani as a tough opponent.

“I am feeling so good today. Coming into the Asian Games everyone knows the stakes of qualifying for the Olympics, so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Ashab said after the match.

“I am really happy to have got the win today, as Veer [Chotrani] is such a tough player. We have played quite a few times in the past, but to get the win today, it just feels amazing. I am so excited,” he added.