Pakistan record best Asian Games medal haul in 24 years

Pakistan ended their Asian Games 2026 campaign with 10 medals, recording their strongest performance at the continental event in 24 years despite failing to win a gold medal.

The national contingent secured two silver and eight bronze medals at the Games. The achievement marked a significant improvement from Pakistan’s recent Asian Games campaigns and their best medal tally since 2002.

Pakistan finished 29th in the overall standings. China dominated the competition, topping the table with 341 medals, including 169 gold. India also enjoyed a strong campaign, finishing fourth with 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.

Pakistan’s two silver medals came in men’s cricket and men’s squash. The country also claimed bronze medals in women’s cricket, men’s hockey, men’s volleyball, men’s squash singles, MMA, shooting and e-sports.

The 10-medal haul represents a major turnaround compared with Pakistan’s performances in recent editions of the Asian Games. The country won three medals in 2023, four in 2018, five in 2014, eight in 2010 and four in 2006.

Pakistan’s last campaign with more than nine medals came in 2002. That year, the country collected 13 medals, including one gold, six silver and six bronze.

The 2026 edition also ended several lengthy medal droughts for Pakistan. The men’s volleyball team won the country’s first Asian Games medal in the sport since 1962.

Pakistan’s men’s hockey team also returned to the podium for the first time since 2014. Cricket made a similar comeback, with the men’s side winning silver and the women’s team securing bronze.

However, Pakistan missed out on medals in kabaddi and javelin throw. Both disciplines had been viewed as potential sources of podium finishes.

Although the absence of a gold medal will remain a disappointment, Pakistan’s 10-medal performance provides a positive boost for the country’s sporting campaign. It also gives the national contingent its best Asian Games result since 2002.