• Source:PTI
Add as a preferred

Throughout the tournament, the Indian men's squash team, led by Saurav Ghosal, was considered a strong contender for the gold medal, with formidable opposition expected from Malaysia and Pakistan, both of which have been historical powerhouses in the sport.

In the final against Pakistan, India faced a daunting challenge, as they had previously suffered a loss to their arch-rivals during the league stage of the competition. With the overall score tied at 1-1 after wins by Ghosal and Nasir Iqbal in their respective singles matches, the gold medal would be decided in the showdown between Abhay Singh and Noor Zaman.

In a gripping contest, Noor Zaman, ranked 113th in the world, initially seemed to have the upper hand, leading 9-7 in the fourth game and holding two match balls at 10-8 in the deciding game. However, Abhay Singh, ranked 69th globally, managed a remarkable turnaround to secure a memorable win with a final scoreline of 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10.

Also Read: Asian Games 2023 Live Updates, Day 7

Saurav Ghosal, India's highest-ranked squash player at 19th in the world, described Abhay Singh's victory as a career-defining moment, considering the challenging circumstances of the match.

The thrilling encounter featured remarkable athleticism from both players, with breathtaking rallies and winners on display. Although Noor Zaman possessed youthful energy, he made more unforced errors than his Indian counterpart.

With this triumph, India reclaimed the gold medal in men's team squash at the Asian Games after an eight-year gap. The victory was particularly sweet for India, as they had suffered a loss to Pakistan in the league stage but managed to emerge victorious in the final.

While Abhay Singh's victory will undoubtedly raise his profile in the squash world, Saurav Ghosal now shifts his focus to securing an individual gold medal, having previously earned three bronze medals and one silver in singles at the Asian Games since 2002.

This gold medal win in squash marks a significant achievement for India at the 2023 Asian Games, adding to the nation's growing medal tally and showcasing the country's prowess in this exciting sport.

 

Inputs from PTI