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| June 22, 2005 | Wednesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1426 |
Shahid and Iskandar to clash in final
LAHORE, June 21: World No17, Shahid Zaman (Pakistan) and Mohammad Azlan Iskandar (Malaysia), the world No19, fought their way into the final of the Pakistan international squash championship at Punjab Squash Complex on Tuesday.
Shahid, also top seed of the event, faced tough fight from Khayal Muhammad (Pakistan) before he completed a nail-biting win 11-5, 11-9, 10-11, 4-11, 11-6 in 75 minutes.
Khayal, who had defeated the third seed Alex Gough (Wales) and Liam Kenny (Ireland) on his way to semis, made a lazy start against Shahid and lost the first game.
Shahid, with excellent court coverage and forehand winners, remained in front from the outset and wrapped up the first game easily.
Khayal came back with different ideas slowing down Shahid’s march in the second game.
But despite taking a 7-5 lead at one stage, Khayal failed to keep control over the game and let Shahid double the lead and win the second game.
In the third game, Shahid was on the verge of completing a straight-game win as he led 9-7 but Khayal showed great fighting spirit snatching win and reducing the lead 2-1.
After a gruelling fight in the last two games, Shahid decided to reserve his power and stamina for the fifth game as Khayal emerged easy winner in
the fourth to level the score two-all.
Khayal could not match the speed and skill of a recharged Shahid in the fifth and threw the game away.
Iskandar, the second seed, found a tough rival in world No.30 Mansoor Khan but he eventually overcame to win 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3.
After losing the first game, Mansoor was not ready to go down without a fight.
He bounced back winning the second as Iskandar hit the board on four occasions and let his rival restore parity.
However, the Malaysian won the third game with the help of three nick shots to salvage the lead 2-1, but it proved short-lived after Mansoor caught up with him to claim the fourth and make it 2-2.
But Iskandar finally sealed the fate of the match winning the last game rather easily to complete win in 51 minutes.
Shahid Zaman will be up against Azlan Iskandar in final at 3pm on Wednesday.
Results:
Semifinals:
Shahid Zaman (Pak) bt Khayal Muhammad (Pak) 11-5, 11-9, 10-11, 4-11, 11-6; Mohammad Azlan Iskandar (Malaysia) bt Mansoor Zaman (Pak) 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3.
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