Abhay Singh enters Asian Games squash final after beating Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan

Indian squash player Abhay Singh reached the men's singles final at the Asian Games 2026 by defeating Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan in straight games. The second-seeded player won the match with a scoreline of 11-3, 12-10, 11-6. Abhay will play the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan's Noor Zaman and Malaysia's NG Eain Yow for the gold medal. The winner of the men's singles event will get a direct spot at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, where squash will be played for the first time. With this win, Abhay joins compatriot Anahat Singh in the singles finals, marking the first time India will have two individual finalists in Asiad history. Reflecting on his win, Abhay said he is making the most of the event since it happens once every three to four years. Saturday's performance showed a big change from the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, where Abhay struggled in the individual groups before helping the Indian team win gold. The 28-year-old credited his better calmness and maturity to age, experience, losing big matches over the last three years, and working with coach James Willstrop. Looking ahead to the final, Abhay downplayed the focus on the India-Pakistan rivalry, stating that for the players, it is just another opponent and another match in the pursuit of gold.