Asian Games 2023 Squash: India men's team succumbs to 1-2 defeat against Pakistan

In what was arguably the most anticipated match of the day, the Pool A men's team tie between the India and Pakistan men's squash teams lived up to its reputation as an intense and emotionally charged encounter at the Asian Games. As the rivalry took centre stage, the players were not just battling for points but also grappling with the weight of national pride and expectations.

India Vs. Pakistan

Abhay Singh stepped onto the court as the first contender for India, but the pressure proved to be his formidable foe. Abhay succumbed to the relentless pressure from Zaman Noor, ultimately losing 1-3 with the scoreline reading 8-11, 12-10, 8-11, 8-11. However, Saurav Ghosal drew level in the tie by securing a dominant 11-3, 11-5, 11-1 victory against Muhammad Asim.

The spotlight then turned to Mahesh Mangaonkar, who faced Iqbal Nasir in a contest that would decide the fate of the match. Mahesh Mangaonkar encountered a challenging start, losing the first game 11-6. The second game was a closely fought battle, with Nasir edging ahead with an 11-13 victory.

However, the true spirit of the game was on display as Mahesh fought back, clinching the third game 11-9, keeping India's hopes alive. Unfortunately, the fourth game saw Mahesh succumbing to Nasir Iqbal, who sealed the victory for Pakistan with a score of 2-1 in the contest.

Men's Team vs. Kuwait

The Indian men's team's first game of the day was against Kuwait, however, the Pakistan game stole the limelight despite the win against Kuwait. Abhay Singh opened the proceedings with a 3-0 win (11-7, 11-6, 11-6) against Alramezi Ali. Saurav Ghosal faced a tough challenge in the second but emerged victorious with a scoreline of 5-11, 13-15, 11-6, 3-1. Mahesh Mangaonkar closed the first fixture on a high note, defeating Mohammad Falah with scores of 11-7, 11-1, 11-2.

The Indian women's team continued their winning streak at the 19th Asian Games. Day 2 of the event witnessed India's relentless pursuit of excellence, as both the women's team delivered stellar performances, keeping their medal aspirations alive.

Women's Team vs. Nepal

The Indian women's team commenced their day with an early morning clash against Nepal. Anahat Singh showcased her class and composure, defeating Krishna Thapa with a flawless 3-0 victory (11-7, 11-1, 11-2), setting the tone for the day. Veteran Joshna Chinappa, 37, continued India's dominance, overpowering Bipana Bhlon with scores of 11-4, 11-2, and 11-2. Seasoned player Dipika Pallikal also secured a convincing win against Swasthani Shrestha with scores of 11-1, 11-3, 11-2.

Women's Team vs. Macao

In their second fixture of the day, the Indian women's team faced Macao. Tanvi Khanna registered a hard-fought 3-1 win (11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7) against Weng Chi in the first match. Joshna Chinnappa and Anahat Singh delivered dominant results in the following matches, defeating Liu Kwai Chi and Yeung Wai Leng. The scoreline read 11-3, 11-7, 12-10 for Joshna and 11-1, 11-7, 11-6 for Anahat respectively.

Tomorrow's Schedule

The excitement continues as India's squash teams gear up for their final team pool matches:

- India vs. Malaysia in the Women's Pool B at 10 AM IST.

- India vs. Nepal in the Men's Pool A at 1:30 PM IST.