Nagoya (GNP): Pakistan’s Muhammad Ashab Irfan has reached the semi-finals of the men’s singles squash competition at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating India’s Veer Chotrani in a four-game quarter-final contest.
Irfan overcame an early challenge from Chotrani to secure a 3-1 victory at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena on Friday.
Chotrani started strongly, claiming the first game 11-6 after a closely contested 10-minute battle.
Irfan responded in the second game, winning 11-8 to level the match and regain momentum.
He then took control of the contest, securing the third game 11-3 before completing the comeback with another 11-3 win in the fourth game.
The match lasted 41 minutes, with Irfan’s consistency and ability to maintain long rallies proving decisive.
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Chotrani was unable to maintain the intensity of his opening-game performance as Irfan won three consecutive games to close out the match.
The win booked Irfan’s place in the semi-finals, keeping Pakistan’s medal hopes alive in the squash competition.
Muhammad Ashab Irfan’s semi-final berth marks another step forward for Pakistan’s squash contingent at the Nagoya Games, with the team looking to build on the momentum heading into the next round.
