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The Asian Games squash arena witnessed high drama as the Indian men's squash team grappled with a stinging defeat against their arch-rivals, Pakistan. With the semi-final qualification hanging in the balance, this loss intensifies the pressure on the Indian squad as they gear up for a must-win encounter against Nepal.
The clash with Pakistan was a test of grit and endurance for both sides. Pakistan's Zaman Noor delivered the first blow to the Indian camp when he bested Abhay Singh in a match that went back and forth. The score-line read 11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 11-8, all in favour of Zaman, underlining the closely-fought contest that lasted for over 51 minutes. At no juncture did Abhay seem to have the upper hand, with Zaman dictating the game's pace.
However, hope glimmered for India when squash veteran Saurav Ghosal stepped onto the court. Demonstrating his vast experience and expertise, Ghosal swiftly overcame Pakistan's Asim Muhammad Khan in a decisive 30-minute match. With scores of 11-3, 11-5, 11-1, Ghosal not only secured a win but also reignited India's hopes for a positive outcome.
Yet, the pendulum swung back towards Pakistan when Mahesh Mangaonkar, a familiar face in the national circuit, faced off against Nasir Iqbal. In a gripping 64-minute encounter, Mangaonkar found himself outpaced and outplayed, leading to a 11-6, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8 victory for Nasir. The final whistle saw elated Pakistanis, while the Indian camp was awash with dismay.
Prior to this unexpected downturn, both the Indian men's and women's teams had demonstrated impressive prowess. While the men had registered a dominant victory against Kuwait, the women's team, backed by the young prodigy Anahat Singh and seasoned players like Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal, overpowered Nepal in a clean 3-0 sweep.
Further magnifying the significance of the upcoming matches, the Indian men's team had previously showcased their dominance with emphatic wins against formidable opponents like Singapore and Qatar. Led by the stalwart Saurav Ghosal, memories of their golden victory in 2014 and the recent bronze at the Jakarta edition fuel their ambitions. However, the path to another podium finish now hinges on their performance against Nepal, making it a contest of nerve and determination.
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