BUSAN, Oct 3: Shahid Zaman crashed out of Asian Games squash tournament, but his cousin Mansoor Zaman kept Pakistan’s gold medal hopes alive with a semifinal victory over Malaysia’s Iskandar Azlan.

Ong, a former world junior champion, struggled in his semifinal and had to come back from two games to one down to defeat battling Shahid 9-6, 6-9, 4-9, 9-7, 9-4.

The world number seven now faces Mansoor in Friday’s final after he saw off Azlan 9-2, 9-2, 3-9, 9-2 in his last four clash.

David, a former double world junior champion, defeated Lee Hai-Kyung of South Korea 9-5, 10-8, 9-2 to leave her just one match away from defending her Asian Games women’s title.

In Friday’s final, the 19-year-old will take on the experienced Rebecca Chiu of Hong Kong who defeated Wee Ee Lin of Malaysia 2-9, 9-1, 9-1, 9-2.

Results:

MEN (SEMIFINALS)

Ong Beng Hee (Mas) bt Shahid Zaman (Pak) 9-6, 6-9, 4-9, 9-7, 9-4; Mansoor Zaman (Pak) bt Iskandar Azlan (Mas) 9-2, 9-2, 3-9, 9-2

WOMEN: Nicol David (Mas) bt Lee Hai-Kyung (Kor) 9-5, 10-8, 9-2; Rebecca Chiu (Hkg) bt Wee Ee Lin (Mas) 2-9, 9-1, 9-1, 9-2.—AFP

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