ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: Ashraf Masih was the only home player on Friday to score a victory in the men's singles competition of the Pakistan Satellite International badminton tournament that began at the Liaquat Gymnasium on Friday.

But Ashraf had to work hard in overcoming the challenge of Nepal's Pankaj Chand before completing a 15-5, 15-17, 15-6 victory. Ashraf put up a fine show, winning the first game comfortably. However, Pankaj gave him a run for his money in the second which was a neck and neck affair.

The Pakistani did not let his opponent come close in the third game and was on top from almost the beginning. The win was the only cheer for the home camp as three of their players were beaten by Indonesian rivals while two others did not turn up for their matches.

First Hendry Winarto defeated Zafar Tasneem 15-9, 15-3 and then Stenny Kasuma downed Rizwan Azam 15-3, 15-3. The third casualty was Amir Islam who was thrashed 15-6, 15-1 by Bagus Suprobo.

To make matters worse, Faisal Afzal and Attique Mohammad did not show up for their respective matches against Nepalese Panero Pashvpati and Mehata Aidra. The Pakistani men were outmatched by the women with Ayesha Akram and Uzma Butt, both scoring contrasting victories while two of their compatriots were knocked out.

Ayesha outplayed Tamang Saradevi of Nepal 11-4, 11-5 without much difficulty but Uzma was extended by Shrestha Sumina, another Nepalese before winning 5-11, 11-5, 11-9. The two women to lose were Sara Mohmand who went down to Indonesia's Dewi Tara Arisaudi 3-11, 4-11 and Asma Butt, beaten 11-5, 9-11, 11-4 by Nepal's Shrestha Pooja. A colourful opening marked the start of the event which will conclude on Nov 30.

RESULTS