Pakistan’s Noor Zaman and Muhammad Ashab Irfan secured bronze medals in the men’s singles squash event at the 2026 Asian Games after both players were defeated in their respective semi-finals in Japan.
Ashab Irfan faced India’s Abhay Singh in the first semi-final. The Indian player won in straight games, 11-3, 12-10 and 11-6, ending Ashab’s bid for a place in the final.
In the other semi-final, Pakistan’s Noor Zaman faced Malaysia’s top seed Eain Yow Ng. The Malaysian player also prevailed, bringing an end to Noor’s hopes of reaching the gold-medal match.
Despite the defeats, both Pakistani players secured bronze medals because the losing semi-finalists in the individual squash competition are awarded third-place medals.
The two players had reached the semi-finals with impressive quarter-final victories on Friday. Ashab defeated India’s Veer Chotrani 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-3, while Noor overcame Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-4.
Their semi-final appearances marked a significant achievement for Pakistan, with two Pakistani players reaching the Asian Games men’s singles squash semi-finals for the first time since 2002.
Pakistan’s squash campaign at the Asian Games therefore concluded with two bronze medals from the men’s singles event.