JAKARTA: Pakistan defeated Nepal 2-1 in the Asian Games 2018 Group D football match at Bekasi, Indonesia on Sunday. Pakistan also defeated Malaysia 62-17 in kabbadi competition, while in tennis, Aqeel Khan and Mohammad Abid Ali Khan won their respective matches against Mongolia and Indonesia. Nepal went ahead as Shahbaz Younas scored an own goal in the 11th minute. Pakistan were back on terms as Muhammad Bilal equalised in the 55th minute. Saddam Hussain scored the winning goal for the green shirts in the 72nd minute. This was Pakistan’s first win in three games. They are currently at third position in Group D with one win in their three games. The side got off to a poor start as they were beaten 3-0 by Vietnam on August 14. They suffered a 4-0 loss on August 16 against Japan. The win against Nepal has brought hope for the country to progress to the knock-out round. Pakistan have only ever won three matches at the Asian Games football event now, the other two being in 1954 and 1974. Published in Daily Times, August 20th 2018.