September 26, 2002	Thursday	Rajab 18, 1423

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KARACHI, Sept 25: Former world champion Jansher Khan making his appearance after a three-year lapse, fought his way into the quarterfinals of the Chief Of Naval Staff International Squash Championship, when he elbowed out the second seed and world No.14 Omar Elborolossy in three hard fought out games, at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex Wednesday.

Pitted against an opponent of high repute, Omar took an early 2-0 lead and looked a picture of fitness with Jansher engaged in long rallies.

A loud roar erupted from the jampacked hall when Jansher scored his first point and forcing his opponent to commit an unforced error on the tin, was soon ahead 4-2. Fighting back Omar drew level 4-4 and as the see saw tussle ensued the scores were locked 11-11, before Jansher broke away to take the first game 15-11.

Jansher grabbed the lead when the second game began and as the two battled for supremacy, the lead changed hands several times. Tied at 13-13 and 14-14, Omar made his bid for victory by moving ahead 15-14. But Jansher displaying some of his past brilliance levelled at 15-15. With the huge gathering urging him on, went on to take the second game also 17-15.

With defeat staring him in the face, Omar ran up an early lead in the third game and was moving smoothly 7-2, before Jansher with some powerful back hand smashes off the wall caught up at 7-7 and even went ahead 8-7.

Continuing to fight on Omar was now in front 11-10, but forcing his opponent to make several errors off the tin, Jansher earned a standing ovation from the partisan crowd after winning three gruelling games which lasted for 52 minutes.

Top seed Karim Darwaish from Egypt also made it through to the last eight, after disposing off Ajaz Azmat 15-8, 15-9, 15-8 in only 29 minutes. He was later joined by another Egyptian Weal El Hindi, who had a massive struggle on his hands before emerging victor by 3-2 games in 73 long minutes.

Third seed Mansoor Zaman (Pakistan) had to battle hard in overcoming countryman Farrukh Zaman in four games 15-12, 15-12, 12-15, 15-13, in a match that could have gone either way.

It took fourth seed Shahid Zaman 47 minutes to reach the last eight, after he disposed off Khayal Muhammad.

The lone Australian in the tournament John Williams also made his presence felt when he whizzed past Ajaz Azmat 15-8, 15-9, 15-8, in just 29 minutes.

Qualifier M. Essam A. Hafiz from Egypt riding high on the crest of a wave, also made his way into the quarterfinals after his opponent Amjad Khan losing the first game was forced to retire hurt in the second, with the Egyptian lad leading 15-3, 10-2.

In the last match of the evening, Mohammad Abbas was the fourth Egyptian to reach the last eight stage, coming through a 15-7, 15-7, 15-6 winner against compatriot Hisham Mohammad Ashour after 28 minutes on the court.

Thursday’s fixtures: Karim Darwaish (Egypt) vs John Williams (Australia) 1300 hours; Shahid Zaman (Pakistan) vs Weal El Hindi (Egypt) 400 hours; M. Essam A. Hafiz vs Mansoor Zaman (Pakistan) 1500 hours; Mohammad Abbas (Egypt) vs Jansher Khan (Pakistan) 1600 hours.