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| April 16, 2003 | Wednesday | Safar 13, 1424 |
Safeer downs Yasir to bag U-19 crown
LAHORE, April 15: Hot favourite Safeer Khan of PAF, exhibited a high class game to win the national junior squash championship Under-19 title, defeating Yasir Butt in straight games at the Punjab Squash Complex on Tuesday.
Safeer, the British Open U-19 champion, took 61 minutes to beat British Open U-17 champion Yasir 9-3, 9-6, 10-8.
Yasir, who gradually improved his game after losing the sluggish first game 9-3 in 19 minutes, engaged the superior rival Safeer in long rallies but made unforced errors at crucial stages and paid the penalty.
Left-hander Safeer with his swift movements all over the court played his strokes intelligently.
Safeer got off to a fine start grabbing a 5-0 lead in the first game. He secured the first point when Yasir hit the board. From there on, Safeer with two drop and nick shots apiece and a stroke awarded to him built up his lead.
Yasir with a nick shot got back service but lost the advantage to open his score after hitting the board.
Safeer made it 6-0 when Yasir hit the board again, but came back for the first time in the match and grabbed three points in a row.
He earned winners through two drops shots and the remaining through a stroke. But it proved his sole achievement. Safeer hit three winners through two drop shots and a stroke awarded to win the first game 9-3 in 19 minutes.
Yasir took the lead in the second set. Safeer then hit a nick shot to get the service back but lost again.
Yasir increased the lead 2-0 when Safeer slammed the ball into the tin again. Safeer showed glimpses of his true form to take a 4-2 lead.
Yasir replied with the same coin and also hit four winners to move ahead 6-4. After that, Safeer gave nothing away. He obtained three more points to double the lead. The second game lasted 20 minutes.
The third game proved the decisive. Both Safeer and Yasir matching each other point for point were locked 8-8.
Safeer was awarded a stroke and in the next moment Yasir offered the match-point when his return shot went out.
Safeer, besides the glittering cup also received a cash prize of Rs 12000 from the chief guest Punjab governor Khalid Maqbool. Yasir pocketed Rs 9600.
Farhan Mehboob (PAF) won the Under-17 event, defeating Aqib Hanif (Punjab) 9-3, 9-3, 9-3 in the final which lasted only 27 minutes. Farhan got Rs 8,000 while Aqib as runner-up received Rs 6400.
Amir Atlas took only 29 minutes to beat Alamzeb (PAF) 9-2, 9-2, 9-3 to win the Under-15 crown. Amir received Rs 6000 and Alamzeb Rs 4800.
Waqar Mehboob toppled Shoaib Hassan in 21 minutes to win Under-13 title with the score reading 9-5, 9-3, 9-7. Waqar got Rs 4000 and Shoaib Rs 3000.
Sara Awan who won the girls Under-19 final on Monday. The young lady pocketed Rs 4000 while runner-up Misbah Rani got Rs 3200.
Alyia Sarfraz who had also won the Under-17 title on Monday got a purse of Rs 2800 and the runner-up Gul Zaman Rs 2000.
Maria Gul defeated Amina Mehboob 9-0, 9-5, 9-2 to win the Under-15 title. Maria honoured with a cash prize of Rs 2000 and Amna with Rs 1600.
In the Under-13 category, Roshna defeated Marhaba 9-7, 4-9, 9-3, 9-6 to win the title. She received Rs 1400 while Marhaba had to be content with Rs 1120.
Results of finals:
BOYS:
Under 19: Safeer Khan (PAF) bt Yasir Butt (Punjab) 9-3, 9-6, 10-8.
Under 17: Farhan Mahboob (PAF) bt Aqib Hanif (Punjab) 9-3, 9-3, 9-3.
Under 15: Amir Atlas (PAF) bt Alamzeb (PAF) 9-2, 9-2, 9-3.
Under 13: Waqar Mehboob bt Shoaib Hassan (Punjab) 9-5, 9-3, 9-7.
GIRLS:
Under 15: Maria Gul bt Amina Mehboob 9-0, 9-5, 9-2.
Under 13: Roshna (Punjab) bt Marhaba (Punjab) 9-7, 4-9, 9-3, 9-6.
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