Pakistan end 12-year Asian Games hockey medal drought with gritty ritty bronze
By Zunaira Batool
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Pakistan are back on the Asian Games hockey podium after a 12-year wait, and they did it in dramatic fashion.
The Green Shirts defeated South Korea 5–3 in the bronze-medal match at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, producing a remarkable fightback after falling two goals behind.
Sufyan Khan gave Pakistan an early lead through a penalty corner, but South Korea responded with three goals to establish a 3–1 advantage.
Pakistan refused to surrender.
Abdul Rehman reduced the deficit before half-time, and the second half produced a stunning turnaround. Rana Waheed struck twice in the space of two minutes to put Pakistan ahead before Hannan Shahid sealed the victory with a late fifth goal.
The bronze ended Pakistan’s 12-year wait for an Asian Games hockey medal.
But perhaps more importantly, the performance offered a glimpse of a team capable of fighting through adversity.
Pakistan had already demonstrated that character in the semifinal, when they recovered from a three-goal deficit against India before eventually losing 4–3.
The bronze medal therefore feels like more than a consolation prize. It is a sign that Pakistan hockey may be beginning another journey towards relevance on the international stage.
The challenge now is to ensure that this medal becomes a foundation rather than a final destination.
Pakistan’s Squash Campaign Ends with Silver and Two Bronze Medals
By Zunaira Batool
Pakistan’s squash campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has delivered one of the country’s most encouraging medal returns in recent years.
The national team finished with one silver and two bronze medals, underlining the depth of talent emerging in Pakistani squash.
Noor Zaman and Muhammad Ashab Irfan secured bronze medals in the men’s singles competition after both reached the semifinals. Their achievement also marked an important return for Pakistan to the individual Asian Games squash medal podium.
The men’s team then went a step further, reaching the gold-medal match.
Pakistan defeated Hong Kong 2–1 in a thrilling semifinal, with Nasir Iqbal producing the decisive performance after Noor Zaman and Muhammad Ashab Irfan had split the opening two matches.
Malaysia ultimately proved too strong in the final, winning 2–0.
Nasir Iqbal fought hard against Ameeshenraj Chandaran, while Noor Zaman pushed Eain Yow Ng into a five-game battle.
Pakistan may have missed the gold, but the overall result was significant.
One silver and two bronze medals represent a strong return from a young and ambitious group of players.
For Pakistan squash, the next challenge is clear: turn promising performances into sustained dominance.
From 0–3 Down to 3–3: Pakistan’s Fight That Refused to End
By Zunaira Batool
Pakistan’s Asian Games hockey semifinal against India ended in defeat, but the story of the match was not simply about the final score.
It was about resistance.
India raced into a 3–0 lead and appeared to be heading comfortably towards the final. Pakistan, however, refused to disappear from the contest.
The Green Shirts responded with three goals to level the match 3–3, transforming what looked like a one-sided contest into one of the most dramatic matches of Pakistan’s Asian Games campaign.
India eventually scored the decisive goal late in the match to win 4–3.
For Pakistan, it was a painful defeat. But the comeback revealed something important about the team’s mentality.
A side that could have collapsed at 0–3 instead found the courage to attack, create chances and restore parity against a major Asian rival.
That fighting spirit carried into the bronze-medal match.
Two days later, Pakistan defeated South Korea 5–3 to secure the bronze medal and end a 12-year Asian Games medal drought.
The semifinal may not appear in the medal table, but it was arguably one of the defining moments of Pakistan’s tournament.
Sometimes a team’s character is revealed most clearly when it is losing.
Squash Heroes Return Home to a Hero’s Welcome
By Zunaira Batool
The celebrations did not end when Pakistan’s squash players left Japan.
They continued at Islamabad International Airport, where the national team received a warm welcome after returning from the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with one silver and two bronze medals.
Families, supporters, squash enthusiasts and sports officials gathered to receive the players.
For the athletes, the reception represented something more than a ceremonial welcome. It was recognition of the effort required to compete at the highest level of Asian sport.
Pakistan’s medal haul came through a combination of youth and experience.
Noor Zaman and Muhammad Ashab Irfan secured individual bronze medals, while the men’s team went on to win silver.
The achievement has given Pakistani squash supporters reason to believe that the sport can once again challenge the leading Asian nations.
The next step should be to build on this momentum.
Medals inspire young players, but systems produce champions.
If Pakistan can provide its emerging squash talent with consistent international competition, modern training facilities and professional support, the Aichi-Nagoya performance could become the beginning of something much bigger.Link Text
