HANGZHOU: Murad Khan starred as Pakistan crushed India in their Asian Games volleyball fifth-place match on Tuesday but that was the only discipline where they got joy against their arch-rivals.

India had the upper hand against Pakistan in squash and tennis on the third day of action at the Games when the national hockey team extended their winning start in the hockey competition.

Murad scored a game-high 20 points at the China Textile City Sports Centre Gymnasium as Pakistan secured fifth place with a 3-0 romp past India.

In an utterly dominant performance, the Indians were routed 25-21, 25-20, 25-23 in an hour and 14 minutes.

The tables were quicky turned on the tennis courts where India’s Yuki Bhambri and Ankita Raina delivered a double-bagel thrashing to Aqeel Khan and Sarah Ibrahim in their second-round mixed doubles match.

Pakistan’s other team in the same event, comprising Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Ushna Sohail fared better but lost 4-6, 1-6 to Thais Pruchya Isaro and Peangtarn Plipuech.

Pakistan’s journey in the men’s and women’s doubles competitions also ended in round two.

Aqeel and Aisam lost 6-7 (3/7), 4-6 to Taiwan’s Jason Jung and Yu-Hsiou Hsu while Sarah suffered a second double-bagel hammering on the day when she and Ushna fell 0-6, 0-6 to Indonesia’s Jessy Priskila Rompies and Beatrice Gumulya,

There were contrasting fortunes for Pakistan’s men and women squash teams. While the men won both their matches, their female counterparts lost both their Pool ‘B’ ties, opening with a 3-0 defeat against India.

Sadia Gul was beaten by Anahat Singh 6-11, 6-11, 3-11, Noor-ul-Huda Sadiq lost to Joshana Chinappa 2-11, 5-11, 7-11 while Noor-ul-Ain Sadiq fell to a 3-11, 6-11, 2-11 loss to Tanvi Khanna.

The women suffered another 3-0 loss against Malaysia in their second game later in the day.

Noor Zaman clinched the decisive point for Pakistan in their opening Pool ‘A’ tie against Qatar, securing a 2-1 win for the side when he overcame Syed Amjad 12-10, 11-7, 11-9.

Nasir Iqbal had given Pakistan the lead when he dispatched Salem Almaki 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 but Qatar had levelled the tie through Abdulla Altamimi, who beat Mohammad Asim 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6.

The trio then cruised to a 3-0 win over Nepal in their second match.

WINNING START

Having opened with a thumping 11-0 win over Singapore, Pakistan’s hockey team notched their second straight victory in Pool ‘A’ when they overwhelmed Bangladesh 5-2 at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium.

Having fallen behind after Bangladesh converted a penalty corner in the 19th minute, Pakistan levelled the contest at the whistle of the second quarter when Afraz netted a field goal.

Two goals in three minutes put Pakistan on top as Shahzeb Khan scored with a field goal in the 40th with Mohammad Imad getting on the scoresheet soon after.

Milon Hussain pulled one back for Bangladesh in the 46th only for Sufyan Khan to restore Pakistan’s two-goal advantage with a drag-flick two minutes later. Arbaaz Ahmed added more gloss to the scoreline with another penalty corner conversion with three minutes to play.

Over at the Hangzhou Gymnasium, Pakistan boxer Mohammad Qasim advanced to the last 16 of the men’s 51-57kg competition with a 5-0 points win against Nawwaf Alzahmi of the United Arab Emirates.

There was no such luck for fencer Mujaded Awan who lost all his five pool matches of the men’s individual epee at the Dianzi University Gymnasium.

Pakistan’s shooters fared better with Kishmala Talat in 12th place after the precision round of the women’s 25m pistol competition with a score of 289. The top eight will qualify for the final after Wednesday’s rapid round.

In the men’s skeet competition, Usman Chand was pla­ced 10th after the first stage with a score of 72. The top six after Wednesday’s second stage will make the final.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2023