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| May 10, 2002 | Friday | Safar 26, 1423 |
Khayal ends Shahnawaz’s giant-killing run
LAHORE, May 9: Third seed Khayal Mohammad annexed the National Junior Squash Championship Under-19 title when he halted the giant-killer Shahnawaz’s run in the all-Punjab final with a straight sets triumph at the Punjab Squash Complex court Thursday.
Khayal took 70 minutes to carve out the win against Shahnawaz who had beaten top seed Majid Khan in the quarterfinals and the fourth seed Naseem Tekali in the semi-final.
Khayal earned the victory with the score line 15-11, 15-8, 15-12.
However, the final failed to live upto the expectations as both the players found the hot and humid condition not conducive for attractive squash.
Despite the air conditioning facility, the temperature of the hall had gone up considerably owing to over crowding.
The seating capacity of the hall is 250, but there were around 400 fans. That effected the performance of the players as there was no sting and power in their shots.
The tiredness was visible on their faces from the second game. Khayal mostly played the game from the mid of the court leaving Shahnawaz stranded on many occasion. Shahnawaz also played many reckless shots and conceded numerous points by hitting the tin.
Khayal needed 25 minutes to wrap up the first game 15-11. He led from start to finish. Khayal surged ahead in the second game with 7-3 lead. Maintaining it, Khayal grabbed the game at 15-8. The second game also lasted for 25 minutes.
In the third game, Shahnawaz tried to stage a come back and was level at 12-all.
Khayal scored two winners to make it 14-12. Here Shahnawaz made Khayal’s job much easier easy as he hit the tin to lose the game and the final.
Khayal received cash prize of Rs 12,000 while Shahnawaz pocketed Rs 9600.
Later Punjab Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool announced a separate cash prize of Rs 100,000 in addition to Rs 200,000 given by the organisers.
The governor also announced a grant of Rs one million for the Punjab Squash Academy which would start functioning from the next month.
Besides the Under-19, the boys finals in the Under-17, 15 and 13 age categories were also held. The girls final in the Under-13 and 15 were also played.
Plauers from PAF Academy dominated the boys Under-13, 15 and 17 sections,
In Under-17 final, Farhan Mahboob defeated Aqib Hanif (Punjab) 15-12, 15-10, 15-14. Farhan got Rs 8000 and Aqib Rs 6400.
The all-PAF Academy Under-15 final, Adil Atlas defeated Majeed Hussain 15-12, 14-15, 15-11, 15-11. Adil pocketed Rs 6,000 and Majeed Rs 4800.
In the all-NWFP’s Alamzeb struggled to beat Aamir Atlas in the Under-13 final. Alamzeb won with the score 17-15, 9-15, 15-8, 13-15, 15-5. The winner received the cash prize of Rs 4000 and the runners-up Rs 3200.
Following are the results of the girls section:
Under-19 (played on league basis). Winner: Sara (Punjab). Runner-up: Misba (Punjab).
Under-17 (matches played on league basis): Winner: Muqadas (Punjab). Runner-up: Shafaq (Punjab).
Under-15: Winner: Alia Sarfraz (Punjab). Runner-up: Sadia Riaz (Sindh).
Under-13: Winner: Marhaba (Punjab). Runner-up: Qandeel (Punjab).
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