Pakistan have won the 23rd Asian Team Squash Championship, beating South Korea 2-0 in the final in Islamabad.
Noor Zaman and Asim Khan each won comfortably to give the hosts the title.
The win is Pakistan’s 16th gold medal in the tournament’s history and their first since 2016.
Pakistan reached the final with a 2-0 win over Hong Kong China in the semi-final at the Mushaf Squash Complex. Asim beat Wong Chi Him 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 11-3 in 50 minutes. Noor Zaman beat Lau Tsz Kwan 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 in 44 minutes.
South Korea earned their place in the final by beating defending champions Malaysia 2-1. Seojin Oh won the deciding match against Duncan Lee 1-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.
In the women’s event, Pakistan lost 2-1 to Iran. Narges Soltani beat Sehrish Ali 11-9, 11-5, 11-8, and Mahnoor Ali beat Baran Mohammadpoor 11-4, 3-11, 11-8, 11-9 to level the tie. Fereshteh Eghtedar then beat Sana Bahadar 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 to give Iran the win. The result gave Iran’s women their first bronze medal at the championships.
The Asian Squash Federation rescheduled the championship and held it in Islamabad from November 3 to 7. The federation had postponed the event from its original April dates because of rising tensions in the Middle East.
Pakistan will host four more international squash tournaments after the championship, with total prize money of $439,000.
