ISLAMABAD, March 1: Amir Atlas Khan on Tuesday sprang a big surprise as he knocked out No. 5 seed M. Essam A. Hafiz to advance to the quarterfinals of the Chief of the Army Staff International squash championship.

The young Amir, nephew of Jansher Khan, had to go the distance in upsetting the Egyptian world No 35, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-10 at the Mushaf Squash Complex. Playing bravely and showing no signs of being overawed, Amir underlined his potential to become a champion player of tomorrow, displaying an array of fine strokes.

Farhan Mahboob took a game off the fancied Mansoor Zaman but then could not cope with the mature stroke play of his opponent who won 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9 to check into the quarters.

Top seed Adrian Grant of England defeated Indian qualifier Ritwik Bhattacharia 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 while Joey Barrington edged Saeed Hassan 11-7, 11-9, 10-11, 10-11, 11-5.

In another match, Shahid Zaman beat Farrukh Zaman 11-7, 11-9, 6- 11, 11-7 while Shamsul Islam Khan carved out a 11-5, 11-9, 11-9 win against Arshad Iqbal Burki. Englishman Alex Stait also moved into the quarterfinals with a 4- 11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-10, 11-8 victory over Majid Khan and then Malaysia's M. Azlan Iskander sent Yasir Butt packing by scoring a 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 win.

QUARTERFINAL PAIRINGS: Amir Atlas v Adrian Grant, Shahid Zaman v Alex Stait, Shamsul Islam v Mansoor Zaman, Joey Barrington v M. Azlan Iskander.