08 February 2005	Tuesday	28 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Feb 7: Pakistan's Shamsul Islam Khan clinched his first major title after returning to national circuit after a gap of almost two years beating Amr Mansi from Egypt in four sets in Country View Kuala Lumpur Open at National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia.

But the eighth seed took the opening game after a tie-break before Shams, from Karachi, re-established his authority on the match to win 10-11 11-6 11-1 11-8 in 42 minutes.

Local heroine Nicol David lifted the women's title. Nicol David, the world No4 from Penang, was in devastating form against the second seed Annelize Naude. The 21-year-old reached the final without dropping a game, then brushed Naude aside 9-4 9-2 9-0 in just 21 minutes to win the title for the third time since 2000.

Men's final result: [1] Shamsul Islam Khan (PAK) bt [8] Amr Mansi (EGY) 10-11 (1-3), 11-6, 11-1, 11-8 (42m)

Women's final result: [1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Annelize Naude (NED) 9-4, 9-2, 9-0 (19m).-PPI