Nagoya, 30 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan secured another medal at the Asian Games on Friday after Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan won their respective singles matches to reach the squash semifinals. Third-seeded Noor defeated Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-4, while fifth-seeded Ashab staged a comeback to beat India’s fourth-seeded Veer Chotrani 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena. The victories ensured Pakistan at least a bronze medal in the men’s singles competition, as losing semifinalists are awarded bronze medals. It is the first time since 2002 that two Pakistani players have reached the Asian Games squash semifinals. Noor will face Malaysia’s top seed Eain Yow Ng on Saturday, while Ashab will meet second seed Abhay Singh for a place in the final. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s mixed doubles pair of Asim Khan and Mehwish Ali were eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing 11-6, 11-7 to Hong Kong’s Cheuk Nam Lai and Yee Lam Toby Tse. In fencing, Pakistan’s men’s foil team comprising Mohammad Waqas, Abdul Musawir and Baryal Khan exited at the round-of-16 stage after suffering a 45-12 defeat against China. In swimming, Mishael Aisha Hayat Ayub finished second last in the women’s 50m butterfly heat in 30.95 seconds, while Hamza Asif finished fifth in the men’s 50m breaststroke heat in 30.47 seconds and failed to advance. Pakistan also lost both of its badminton fixtures, with Mohammad Ali Larosh beaten by Kazakhstan’s Makhsut Tajibullayev 2-1, while Larosh and Mahoor Shahzad lost their mixed doubles match against South Korea’s Yun Jaeh Kim and Hajeong Jang 21-1, 21-10. Pakistan’s Noreen Hussain also failed to register a mark in the women’s pole vault final.