Abhay Singh eases past Pakistan’s Muhammad Irfan to enter Asian Games final

Indian squash player Abhay Singh advanced to the Asian Games final with a decisive victory over Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan. The 28-year-old earned a 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 scoreline in Game 1 before a resilient Irfan managed to narrow the gap. Abhay's triumph, however, was decisive.

Abhay will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan's Noor Zaman and Malaysia's NG Eain Yow in the gold medal match. Winning the men's singles title will grant Abhay a direct entry to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, where squash is making its debut. This accomplishment puts India in the enviable position of having two individual finalists for the first time in Asiad history.

Upon reflecting on his performance, Abhay acknowledged that he was more mature and composed this time around, attributing it to age, experience, and working with his coach, James Willstrop. He downplayed the India vs Pakistan rivalry angle, stating that for him, it was just another opponent and another match. He emphasized that the team's support and his maturity stemming from losses in the last three years played a significant role in his success.