Tayyab, Farhan, Asim, Ammad in semis of Pakistan International Squash Tournament 2019
Top seed Tayyab Aslam, second seed Farhan Mehboob, Asim Khan and Ammad reached the men’s singles semi-finals of the Pakistan International Squash Tournament here at the Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad.
Top seed Tayyab Aslam, second seed Farhan Mehboob, Asim Khan and Ammad reached the men’s singles semi-finals of the Pakistan International Squash Tournament here at the Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad.
Asim Khan made a strong comeback to surprise experienced Farhan Zaman 3-2. The first set started on a high note as Zaman, who just returned from USA for the tournament, was looking rusty, while Asim was playing with lot of authority. It was a see-saw battle in the first set before Zaman took it 12-10. In the second set, Asim had chances to level the match at 1-1 but he allowed Zaman too much space, which helped Zaman win the set 14-12.
In the third game, Asim was looking tired and frustrated as his drop shots were hitting the tin, while Zaman was looking all set to clinch the match as he was leading 9-6 and serving. Then Asim started playing like a champion, while Zaman started committing mistakes, which helped Asim take the game 11-9. Same were the positions in the fourth and fifth sets, which led Asim win the games 11-9 and 11-4 respectively to set semifinal date with top seed Tayyab Aslam.
While Tayyab eliminated Israr Ahmed in a four-game match, Farhan took only 18 minutes to tame Haris Qasim in straight games.
In other men’s quarter-finals, Amaad Fareed routed Waqas Mehboob 1-3, 11-9, 11-4 while experienced Farhan Mehboob registered a facile victory against upcoming junior player Haris Qasim 11-5, 11-4, 11-5.
Meanwhile in the women’s event, Maria Toorpakai Wazir showed her class defeating Noor-ul-Huda in just 13 minutes in straight games.
Maria defeated Noor 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 and Amna Fayyaz overcame Anam Mustafa 11-3, 11-6, 11-7 in their last-eight matches.
Riffat Khan, who was two game up against Saima Shoukat retired hurt because of foot sprain during the third game, conceded the match 8-11, 7-11, 12-10.
In the last quarter-final lasting 25 minutes Moqaddas Ashraf beat Rushna Mehboob 6-11, 11-3, 12-10, 6-11, 11-5.
