Pakistan advances to Asian Games 2026 semi-finals without playing after match against Hong Kong is canceled due to rain

Indian squash players demonstrated outstanding results at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, qualifying for the semi-finals. Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh won their semi-final matches, guaranteeing India at least a silver medal.

Abhay Singh, who holds a gold medal from the Asian Championships, defeated Mohammed Irfan of Pakistan in the men's singles category. He won with a score of 3-0 in sets. Abhay maintained control of the match from the beginning, winning the first set 11-3. In the second set, Irfan from Pakistan created serious competition, but Abhay remained calm and won the set 12-10, increasing his lead to 2-0.

In the third set, the Indian athlete once again asserted his dominance, winning 11-6 and securing his place in the final.

Meanwhile, in the women's singles category, Anahat Singh played a tense match against Satomi Watanabe of Japan, winning 3-2. Anahat initially lost the first set 9-11, and in the second set, she trailed 11-13. However, after this, the Indian athlete made an impressive comeback, winning the third set 12-10.

Subsequently, Anahat Singh leveled the score at 2-2, winning the fourth set 11-6. In the decisive fifth set, she gave Satomi Watanabe no chance and won the set 11-3, advancing to the final. This victory made Anahat Singh the first Indian woman to reach the final of the women's singles squash event at the Asian Games. Abhay Singh's victory also sustains hopes of winning gold in the men's singles category.

Now both Indian athletes will advance to the final, where they will have a chance to win a gold medal for India at the Asian Games. Winning gold qualifies both players for the Los Angeles Olympics.

September 24, 2007, became an unforgettable day in the history of Indian cricket. It was on this day, 19 years ago, that India and Pakistan met face to face in the final of the first ICC World Twenty20, held in South Africa. The match was extremely tense, and ultimately India defeated Pakistan, winning the T20 World Cup title for the first time.

At the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, the Indian team, having won the toss, started the game. Although the beginning was not the most successful, Gautam Gambhir demonstrated brilliant play, scoring 75 runs off 54 balls. Rohit Sharma also played quietly, scoring 30* runs without getting out. India scored a total of 157/5 runs in 20 overs, setting a target of 158 runs for Pakistan. On the Pakistani side, Umar Gul took the most wickets, claiming 3 wickets.

When Pakistan came out to chase the victory, they began losing batsmen against the Indian bowling. Pakistan's first wicket fell at 2 runs when Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed, having scored only 1 run. Imran Nazir showed powerful batting, scoring 33 runs off 14 balls. After Nazir's innings, Pakistan's game faltered; at one point, the team's score was 77 runs with 6 wickets down, and India's victory seemed almost inevitable. However, Misbah-ul-Haq did not give up and managed to boost Pakistan's hopes by hitting 3 sixes off Harbhajan Singh's over.

The situation changed drastically in the last over of the match. Pakistan needed only 13 runs to win. Joginder Sharma was given the responsibility for bowling. Joginder's first delivery was a wide. Misbah played defensively to the second delivery. But on the very next ball, Misbah hit a six off a full toss. Now Pakistan needed to score 6 runs from 4 balls. Then Misbah decided to play a scoop shot. The ball went into the air, and Shrisant caught it. The Indian team rejoiced, and Pakistan's innings ended at 152 runs.

India defeated Pakistan by a margin of 5 runs, starting a new era for Indian cricket. The young team, led by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, made history in their first T20 World Cup. The last ball and Shrisant's catch are still considered one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket. For India, Ar P Singh and Irfan Pathan took 3 wickets each, and Joginder Sharma took 2 wickets. Irfan Pathan was named 'Player of the Match' for his performance, and Shahid Afridi was awarded 'Player of the Tournament'. After winning the 1983 World Cup under Kapil Dev, India won its second World Cup 24 years later under Dhoni.

In the Asian Games 2026, the women's teams of Pakistan and Thailand met in the quarterfinals. On September 17 (Thursday) at the Coreogi Sports Park stadium in Nishin, the Pakistani team defeated Thailand with a score of 3 points.

Due to the wet field, the game was extended to 11-11 overs. The Pakistani team needed to score 92 points to win, which they achieved in 10.4 overs, leaving 2 balls. Despite facing difficulties due to consecutive player losses, the Pakistani team managed to cross the finish line.

Now, in the semi-finals, Pakistan will play against the winner of the third quarterfinal, which will take place on September 18 between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

In the attack for Pakistan, the most productive players were opening batsman Shawal Zulfiqar, who scored 25 points, including three fours and one six. Captain Fatima Sana made a significant contribution, earning 21 points from 13 balls with the help of three fours and one six. Gul Firoza (16 points) and Tuba Hasan (13 points) also played useful innings.

On the Thai side, Onnicha Kamchomphu scored the most points, taking three wickets. Additionally, Sunida Chaturongratthana secured two wickets, while Phannita Maiya and Suliporn Laomi each took one wicket.

Thailand, having lost the toss and starting first, scored 91 points, losing four wickets in 11 overs. Nannapat Koncharoenkai, batting and bowling, stood out with a performance of 49 points from 38 balls, including seven fours. Phannita Maiya added 15 points, and captain Narumpol Chaiwai contributed 10 points.

In response, Pakistani captain Fatima Sana took 2 wickets, and Nashra Sandu took one wicket.

Team Lineups

The Pakistan squad included: Shawal Zulfiqar, Gul Firoza (bowler), Aisha Jafar, Fatima Sana (captain), Eman Fatima, Alia Riaz, Tuba Hasan, Nashra Sandu, Umm e Haani, Tasmia Rubab, and Iman Nasir.

The Thailand squad consisted of: Nattakan Chamtham, Phannita Maiya, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (bowler), Nannapat Chaihan, Narumpol Chaiwai (captain), Afisara Suwanchonarati, Chanida Sutiruang, Suliporn Laomi, Sunida Chaturongratthana, Onnicha Kamchomphu, and Tipacha Puttawong.