Key Takeaways
- Pakistan’s hockey team extended their winning streak with a 3-0 victory over China.
- Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab advanced to the men’s singles last-16 in squash.
- Pakistan’s kabaddi team suffered their first defeat, losing 51-30 to Iran.
Pakistan’s hockey and squash teams continued their strong performances at the Asian Games on Thursday, while the kabaddi team faced a setback. The hockey team maintained their winning run with a 3-0 victory over China, recording their third consecutive win in Pool B.
In the match, Sufyan Khan scored two goals, while Abu Mahmood converted a penalty, and Hannan Shahid added a field goal. The victory sets up a crucial match against Malaysia on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in squash, Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab cruised into the quarter-finals with comfortable victories. Noor, ranked 29th in the PSA standings, defeated Ammar Altamimi 11-4, 11-9, 11-4, while Ashab, ranked 49th, beat Mohammad Al Alnafsan 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.
Pakistan’s women’s squash players, Mahnoor Ali and Sana Bahadur, were eliminated in the round-of-32, with Mahnoor losing to Wai Yhann Au Yeong of Singapore and Sana falling to Najmeh Boushehrizadeh of Iran.
The kabaddi team, which had won their first two matches, suffered their first defeat, losing 51-30 to Iran. The match saw Iran dominate with 41 outs, eight all-out points, and two bonus points, while Pakistan managed 23 outs, four bonus points, and three super-tackle points.
Pakistan’s mixed doubles team of Asim Khan and Mehwish Ali also progressed, defeating Nepal’s Arhant Simha and Bipana Bhlon 11-6, 11-10. However, the fencers, soft tennis, and table tennis players faced tough days, while the boxing campaign began with a loss for boxer Maria Rind.
Pakistan’s next fixtures include a Pool B match against Malaysia in hockey and a men’s singles match for Noor and Ashab in squash. The kabaddi team will look to bounce back in their remaining matches.
