In a thrilling final match of the men’s squash team event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China, India emerged victorious against Pakistan with a score of 2-1, clinching the gold medal.
Pakistan showcased exceptional performance throughout the tournament, but in the final showdown, they fell just short, securing a well-deserved silver medal.
The Green Shirts started off strong, with Nasir Iqbal setting a bright tone by defeating Mahesh Mangaonakar 3-0 in the opening match of the three-match final. Nasir secured the win with scores of 11-8, 11-3, and 11-2.
However, the Blues made a strong comeback, thanks to an outstanding performance by Saurav Ghosal. He dominated the match against Mohammad Asim Khan with scores of 11-5, 11-1, and 11-3.
The fate of the final match hung in the balance, with Noor Zaman facing off against Abhay Singh. The intense showdown between these two talented players lasted for an impressive 65 minutes, ultimately resulting in India’s triumph.
Singh took an early lead by winning the first game comfortably. However, Zaman mounted an impressive comeback in the following two games, putting up a tough fight. After the third game, Zaman took a decisive 2-1 lead.
The fourth game showcased Singh’s exceptional skills, setting the stage for a nail-biting final set, which turned out to be the longest of the match, lasting 14 minutes.
Zaman was just one point away from securing the gold for his country, leading 10-8. However, Singh showed incredible resilience and determination, pushing back and ultimately clinching the accolade for India by winning the last game 12-10.
Abhay Singh emerged as the match winner with scores of 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, and 12-10.
