Pakistan return from Asian Games with 10 medals, but no gold

LAHORE - Pakistan signed off from the Asian Games 2026 with 10 medals, including two silver and eight bronze, achieving its best medal haul at the continental showpiece since 2002, although the Green Shirts failed to capture a single gold medal. The two silver medals came through men’s cricket and men’s squash, while eight bronze medals were secured in women’s cricket, men’s hockey, men’s volleyball, men’s squash singles, MMA, shooting and PUBG. The overall tally represented a notable turnaround after Pakistan managed only three medals in 2023, four in 2018, five in 2014, eight in 2010 and four in 2006.

Pakistan’s last stronger performance came in 2002, when the country collected 13 medals, comprising one gold, six silver and six bronze medals. The 2026 campaign also ended lengthy podium droughts. Pakistan won its first Asian Games volleyball medal since 1962, while the men’s hockey team returned to the podium for the first time since 2014. Cricket also regained an Asian Games medal after 12 years, with the men’s cricket team taking silver and women’s cricket team earning bronze.

Despite falling short of gold, Pakistan’s 10-medal haul offers renewed optimism for the country’s sporting future. However, sustained investment in sports infrastructure, athlete development, coaching and sportspersons is essential to build on this progress and ensure Pakistan can compete for more medals, particularly gold, in future Asian Games and other major international events.

Azhar Khan is an accomplished senior sports journalist with extensive experience in the field. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @azharmasood786