KARACHI: In a spectacular display of skill and determination, the Pakistan squash team crushed arch-rivals India on Friday by 2-1, and qualified for the semifinals of the Asian Team Squash Championship in Dalian, China.
The match began with a commanding performance from Pakistan’s Asim Khan, who dominated his opponent Rahul Baitha of India with a flawless 3-0 victory, putting Pakistan in the lead.
However, India fought back strongly as Velavan Senthilkumar secured a 3-0 win against Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal, leveling the match at 1-1. Pakistan’s coach Fahim Gul revealed that Iqbal had been battling fever, impacting his performance on the court.
With the tie hanging in the balance, Pakistan’s Noor Zaman rose to the occasion, delivering a masterful performance to defeat Suraj Kumar Chand 3-0 and seal Pakistan’s victory over India, propelling them into the semifinals.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will face Hong Kong in the semifinals tomorrow, following Hong Kong’s victory over Iran in their quarterfinal match.
Coach Gul expressed his delight at the team’s triumph over India and expressed optimism about their prospects in the upcoming matches. He credited the team’s consistent performance and resilience for their success on the court.
Prior to their match with India, Pakistan had showcased their dominance in Pool C of the tournament, remaining unbeaten against South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and China. They began their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Taipei and followed it up with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Korea on the opening day. Their momentum continued as they defeated China 3-0 to clinch the top spot in their pool.
