Nasir Iqbal and Noor Zaman continued Pakistan’s winning momentum at the Asian Doubles Squash Championship, advancing to the semifinals after a gripping quarterfinal victory over South Korea on Tuesday.

Seeded second in the tournament, the Pakistani duo overcame a mid-match stumble to defeat Jeongmin Ryu and Jaejin Yoo in a tense three-game showdown. The match, lasting just under 40 minutes, showcased both the strategic depth and physical resilience of the Pakistani side.

After storming through the opening game with an authoritative 11-3 scoreline, Iqbal and Zaman lost rhythm in the second, conceding it 5-11. However, they regrouped swiftly, dictating play in the decider to close it out 11-4, securing a place in the final four.

Showdown with Malaysia Awaits

Pakistan now prepare for a high-stakes semifinal encounter with Malaysia, scheduled for Wednesday. Their opponents, Syafiq Kamal and Duncan Lee, earned their spot after a close 2-1 win over fellow Malaysians Ameeshenraj Chandran and Sanjay Jeeva.

So far, Pakistan’s path to the semifinals has been dominant. The pair cruised through the group stage with victories against the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea, making them one of the tournament’s standout teams. Their synchrony and match temperament have played a central role in their unbeaten streak.

Noor Zaman’s Redemption Arc

For Noor Zaman, the doubles format has offered redemption after his early exit in the Asian Individual Championship, where he narrowly lost in a five-game thriller to Malaysia’s Joachim Chuah. His strong showing in the team competition underlines his adaptability and competitive drive.

As the stakes rise, Pakistan will need to summon their best against the host nation, but based on current form, Iqbal and Zaman are poised for a serious title challenge.