INCHEON: Pakistan’s top puglist Mohammad Waseem is optimistic about his chances of reaching the final in the flyweight category when he takes on Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan at the Asian Games on Thursday.

Waseem is the last standing member of Pakistan’s six-member boxing team and although he’s already assured of a bronze medal, his eyes are firmly set on reaching the gold medal match.

“I’m prepared for the challenge both mentally and physically,” Waseem told reporters during Pakistan hockey team’s semi-final against Malaysia on Tuesday.

“Although Uzbek boxers are tough to beat, a little bit of luck and a couple of solid blows can change the course of the match,” added the 27-year-old who won silver at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

Pakistan coach Ali Bakhsh, who himself won the flyweight gold at the New Delhi Asiad in 1982, also had high hopes from Waseem.

“Waseem can progress to the final and it will be a great achievement for the country as we haven’t won silver in the Games for the last 12 years,” he said on Wednesday.

Pakistan rugby team suffer successive losses

Pakistan’s kabaddi team also face a formidable opponent in their semi-final on Thursday when they take on neighbours Iran against whom they have rarely won.

Pakistan claimed bronze in the last edition of the Games in Guangzhou four years ago and take on an Iran team which took silver in 2010 at the Songdo Global University Gymnasium.

“Iran are a very good team and it will be a competitive match,” Pakistan captain Nasir Ali said.

On a day of very little sporting action involving Pakistan, the rugby sevens team suffered back-to-back losses on Wednesday.

In their final Group ‘B’ match, Pakistan were handed a 59-0 thrashing by the Philippines for their third straight loss in the preliminary stage at the Namdong Asiad Rugby Field.

That meant they went into a 9th-12th classification match against Malaysia which they lost by the same score and will now face Saudi Arabia in a match for 11th place on Thursday.

At the Ganghwa Dolmens Gymnasium, Pakistan’s Arshad Atief Archibald lost 4-11 to China’s Sen Qiao in their 80kg taekwondo last-16 fight.

Pakistan did record a win on Wednesday although it came in the 11th-place playoff volleyball match at the Ansan Sangroksu Gymnasium.

Naseer Ahmed scored 20 points as Pakistan defeated Saudi Arabia in straight sets 29-27, 25-17, 25-16 after a 76-minute contest.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd , 2014