Pakistan’s men’s foil team also exited the competition after losing 45-12 to China in the round of 16 at the Aichi Sky Expo.

Pakistan secured another medal at the Asian Games on Friday after Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan reached the men’s singles squash semi-finals in Nagoya.

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

Noor, Pakistan’s highest-ranked player in the draw, was tested by Leung but held his composure to book his place in the last four.

Ashab also produced a strong comeback after losing the opening game. He defeated Chotrani 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 to reach the semi-finals.

The victory also gave Ashab an opportunity to avenge Pakistan’s defeat to India in the men’s team final at the previous Asian Games.

With both players reaching the semi-finals, Pakistan are guaranteed at least a bronze medal in the men’s singles competition, as losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals.

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

Both Noor and Ashab had reached the quarter-finals 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.

Noor and Ashab will play their respective semi-finals on Saturday, with places in Sunday’s final at stake.

Pakistan Mixed Doubles Pair Exit

Pakistan’s mixed doubles pair of Asim Khan and Mehwish Ali were eliminated in the squash quarter-finals.

After fighting back from a game down to reach the last eight, the pair could not produce another comeback and lost to Hong Kong’s Cheuk Nam Lai and Yee Lam Toby Tse 6-11, 7-11 in 20 minutes.

Pakistan Fencing Team Eliminated

Pakistan’s men’s foil team also exited the competition after losing 45-12 to China in the round of 16 at the Aichi Sky Expo.

Mohammad Waqas, Abdul Musawir and Baryal Khan managed eight bout wins across nine relays, while China controlled the contest throughout.

Pakistan received one yellow card and one red card during the match as their campaign in the men’s foil team event came to an end.

Swimming Athletes Fail to Advance

At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Mishael Aisha Hayat Ayub finished second last in her women’s 50m butterfly heat in 30.95 seconds.

The 24-year-old finished 25th among 27 competitors overall. Chinese Taipei’s An-chi Han claimed the final qualifying position with a time of 27.13 seconds.

Hamza Asif also failed to advance from the men’s 50m breaststroke heats. He finished fifth in his heat in 30.47 seconds, placing 35th among 40 swimmers overall.

Kazakhstan’s Aibat Myrzamuratov secured the final qualifying spot with a time of 27.86 seconds.

Badminton Campaign Begins with Defeats

Pakistan’s badminton campaign also suffered setbacks, with defeats in both the men’s singles and mixed doubles events at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.

Mohammad Ali Larosh lost his first-round men’s singles match to Kazakhstan’s Makhsut Tajibullayev 2-1.

Larosh made a slow start and lost the opening game 21-11. He responded strongly in the second game, eventually winning 24-22 on his third game point to force a decider.

The final game was closely contested, with Larosh at one stage holding a five-point lead. Tajibullayev fought back and won 24-22 after Larosh failed to save his second match point.

Larosh later partnered Mahoor Shahzad in the mixed doubles but the Pakistani pair were comfortably beaten by South Korea’s Yun Jaeh Kim and Hajeong Jang 21-1, 21-10.

In athletics, Pakistan’s Noreen Hussain failed to register a valid mark in the women’s pole vault final.