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| June 23, 2005 | Thursday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1426 |
Shahid outlasts Iskandar for title
LAHORE, June 22: Pakistan’s top seed Shahid Zaman survived some anxious moments before emerging as winner of the Pakistan International squash title, overcoming second seed Mohammad Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia in a five-game final at the Punjab Squash Complex on Wednesday.
In the contest which lasted 47 minutes, Shahid twice came from a game down to wear down his gutsy rival 5-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-5, 11-8.
Iskandar started off aggressively as his fine court crafts, effective forehand earned winners to stun shocked Shahid, folding up the first game in just 12 minutes. Iskander remained in front from the outset.
Shahid, however, recovered in the second game forcing Iskandar on the defensive
with some blistering forehand and closed the game in 17 minutes.
Not to be denied Iskander quickly recovered his poise as he repeatedly wrong-footed the local star with nicks and drop shots to clinch the game and led 2-1.
The Pakistani star put the loss of the third game behind and once again restored parity winning the crucial fourth game only dropping five points.
With all to play for in the fifth and final game it was Iskandar who caved in under pressure committing unforced errors to allow Shahid win the decider and with it lift the title.
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