KARACHI, Sept 26: Mohammad Abbas of Egypt, seeded No 28 in the world, caused quite a stir at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan squash complex, when he toppled former world champion Jansher Khan 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the Chief Of Naval Staff International Thursday.

The former world champion making a comeback after a three-year lapse due to injuries, elbowed the world No 14 Egyptian Omar Elborolossy in three gruelling games the previous evening and seemed on course to reach the semifinals after disposing off Mohammad Abbas.

But this was not to be. The Egyptian youngster attacking from the word go matched Jansher stroke for stroke in the first game.

Jansher after a fairly long rallies, picked up the first two points. But the Egyptian was soon abreast 2-2, before Jansher being awarded a stroke, stole the lead again 3-2.

Matching each other point for point, the scores read 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5, before Jansher drew away 7-5, which later increased to 9-7. Unruffled with the situation, Abbas pinched six vital points on the trot to take over the lead 12-9. Jansher forcing his opponent to smash into the tin drew closer 10-12 and 11-13, but Abbas with two great smashes off the wall grabbed the opening game 15-11.

Like the previous game Jansher once again took early lead moving ahead 2-0, before Abbas came back strongly to surge ahead 5-2. Jansher rallied again, closing the gap 4-5 with two fine shots, which left his opponent stranded on the court.

Another three points on the trot took the Egyptian in front 8-4 and increasing his lead 10-6, it seemed Jansher was doomed to surrender the second game also.

Calling up on his reserves, Jansher with the crowd noisily urging him on levelled the scores 10-10, with Abbas on the defensive. A stroke awarded to Abbas enabled the Egyptian to take over the lead again 11-10. The scores were levelled again 11-11 and 12-12. As the fierce duel continued, Jansher was a stroke away from winning the second game 15-14, only to see Abbas level the scores again 15-15, with a fine placing just above the tin that caught Jansher on the wrong foot.

However, with a stamp of class, Jansher pinched the next two points to win the game 17-15 and level the game scores at 1-1 to the delight of the partisan home crowd.

Getting a tremendous reception when on the court again, Jansher after levelling the points 1-1, slipped down the ladder to trail 1-4. Suddenly it was a different ball game altogether. Abbas on the attack increased the lead in the vital third game 2-6, and 3-12. Jansher reduced to a mere passenger surrendered the third game 4-15, which enabled Abbas to take a winning 2-1 lead.

Stunned into silence, the crowd saw their hero take the lead in the fourth game, but was on the receiving end again. Abbas levelled the scores 1-1 and after being awarded a stroke he was in front 3-1.

The former world champion fighting on levelled the scores at 5-5 and the crowd went wild when Jansher took over the lead 6-5. Abbas was soon abreast at 6-6 and then 7-7, before he pulled away 9-7.

Playing perhaps his best squash Jansher had the crowd urging him on, levelling the scores 11-11 and forging ahead 12-11. The scores were tied again 12-12 and when Jansher’s back hand smash hit the tin, Abbas went in front 13-12 only to be caught up again at 13-13.

But after 58 sweaty minutes on the court it was all over for Jansher. Abbas picked up the next two points to emerge a 3-1 winner.

Speaking to Dawn after the match Abbas, tired but happy, said it was a great day for him, especially after beating the former world champion. He said that he was aware that Jansher was recovering from injuries after a three year lapse and said he never let the former champion settle down. He added that last year he also played on this court and said that this was one of the best squash courts in the world.

Another former world champion Jahangir Khan when asked if he was satisfied with Jansher’s performance he said that Jansher gave his best, but was off the opinion that Jansher still needed another three to four months of extensive training to make a successful comeback.

Also reaching the semifinal was the top seed Karim Darwaish (Egypt), who had to work up a sweat in beating the Australian John Williams 15-12, 15-13, 15-7 in 37 minutes.

Joining him were the fourth seed Shahid Zaman (Pakistan), who accounted for another Egyptian Weal El Hindi 15-3, 15-11, 12-15 and 15-10 in 48 gruelling minutes.

The dream run of qualifier M. Essam A. Hafiz also from Egypt came to an end, when he finally bowed out to Pakistan’s third seeded Mansoor Zaman, after four hard fought out games which lasted 58 minutes.

Thursday’s results (prefix number denotes seeding):

QUARTERFINALS: 1-Karim Darwaish (Egypt) beat John Williams (Australia) 15-12, 15-13, 15-7; 4-Shahid Zaman (Pakistan) beat Wael El Hindi (Egypt) 15-3, 15-11, 12-15, 15-10; 3-Mansoor Zaman (Pakistan) beat M. Essam A. Hafiz (Egypt) 15-9, 15-6, 15-10; Mohammad Abbas (Egypt) beat Jansher Khan (Pakistan) 15-11, 15-17, 15-4, 15-13.