KARACHI, Nov 23: Pakistan’s fast rising Shahid Zaman will start next month’s Malaysian Open as eighth seed while three other Pakistanis will feature in the qualifying rounds.

“Owing to his improved rankings Zaman will start as number eight seed in the Malaysian Open while Amjad Khan, Shamsul Islam and Aijaz Azmat will play the qualifying rounds,” a Pakistan Squash Federation spokesman told SADA.

Pakistan’s top player Mansoor Zaman has decided to opt out of the event, the spokesman said.

“Since Mansoor Zaman would gain fewer ranking points if he wins but lose more if he is defeated, he has decided not to compete in the event,” the spokesman said.

The Malaysian Open, a regular event in the Players Squash Association calendar, will be held in Kuala Lumpur from Dec 11 to Dec 15.

The top ranking international squash players have decided not to play in the event but after the cancellation of the World Open in India, the Malaysian organizers hope to get more players into the event. The event carries a prize of $23,000. — SADA