KUCHING, MALAYSIA (Kashmir English): Pakistan’s squash stars Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Squash Championship after an impressive performance in the group stage in Kuching, Malaysia.
The duo made light work of their final group-stage opponents, defeating Chi Yu-Wei and Chen Ching-Fu 11–2, 11–9 in just 11 minutes to top Group B.
With the win, they secured a place in the quarterfinals, where they were set to face South Korea later the same day. Zaman and Iqbal have remained unbeaten throughout the group stage, starting their campaign on Monday with two comprehensive victories.
Before this, Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal had already defeated teams from South Korea and the Philippines. They opened with an 11–4, 11–1 win over South Korea, before overpowering the Philippines 11–7, 11–4 in their second match.
Their flawless run placed them at the top of their group, which also included Singapore, ensuring a strong entry into the knockout stage of the Asian Squash Championship.
Their next challenge will be a quarterfinal clash against South Korea, scheduled later the same day. With their current form and coordination on the court, the Pakistani duo is being seen as a strong contender for a podium finish at the Asian Squash Championship.
This performance adds to Pakistan’s rich history in squash, where the country has produced several world champions in the past. The victory has also given a morale boost to the national squad and fans, who are hopeful for a strong finish in the championship.
The championship format features round-robin group matches over the first two days, followed by knockout rounds beginning on 25 June. The finals in the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles categories are scheduled for 26 June.
Team coach Fahim Gul and contingent manager Amir Nawaz have been guiding the squad through the tournament in Kuching, where Pakistan now aims to continue its winning run in the knockout phase.
The Asian Squash Championship, being held in Malaysia, features top talent from across the continent. The event is not only a platform for high-level competition but also a stepping stone for players aiming to qualify for major international tournaments.
The Asian Squash Championship continues over the next few days, with knockout rounds intensifying as teams battle for a spot in the finals.
