LAHORE, Oct 31: Pakistani shuttlers made it to the quarterfinals of five events of the Asian Satellite badminton tournament in Delhi, which concluded recently. Secretary Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) Aamir Hayat Khan Rokri said the doubles’ pair Tahir Ishaq-Mohammad Waqas Ahmed reached last eight, defeating Indians Tanveer Gill-Somi Joseph 15-11, 15-7.
Amer Islam-Imran Mohib defeated Nepalese Thopa Bdran-Mehta Indra 15-5, 15-4 in the first round and then carved out win against Sri Lankans Karmntune Dilnoho-Fernendo Erange 15-6, 15-5.
But in the quarterfinals, the pair lost to Indian second seed pair Jameel P Ismail-V Dijn 6-15, 15-17.
In the ladies’ doubles, Ayesha Akram-Sara Moman lost to top seed Sri Lankan pair Jaya Singhe-Ariyadase 15-7, 15-8 in the quarterfinals.
Sisters Asma Butt-Uzma Butt, reached quarterfinals but lost to second seed Malaysian pair Wong Julie Xian-Norshahliz 15-6, 15-7.
In the mixed doubles, Tahir Ishaq-Sara Momand defeated Sri Lankan Fernando-Ariyadas 17-14, 15-6 in the pre-quarterfinals.
In the men’s singles, Umar Zeeshan reached the pre-quarterfinals defeating Tripathy Pretap of India 15-10, 15-11. He defeated Indian Bajaj Rajiv in the second round 15-8, 15-9.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Umar was beaten by Iranian national champion Golam Raza in a three-set encounter 15-12, 6-15, 5-15.
In the men’s singles, young Zafar Tasneem beat Kherbeda Hima of India 15-10, 15-9 in the first round match.
Rokri said the National junior championship would be held in Islamabad on Nov 15-23.
Ten under-19 boys and girls, who would come through the championship, would be provided coaching at Islamabad during summer vacations, he said.
He said Pakistan would also participate in Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Asian Zone to be held in Jaipur India on Feb 13-19 next year.