March 12, 2006	Sunday	Safar 11, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, March 11: Mohammad Abbas was crowned the champion on Saturday as he defeated Ramy Ashour in an all-Egyptian final of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Championship at the Mushaf Squash Complex.

Ranked No 20 in the world, Abbas scored a 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 victory against his younger opponent, who fought hard all through doing particularly well in the second game.

Both Abbas and Ashour had squashed Pakistani hopes in Friday’s semifinals by knocking out Mansoor Zaman and Shahid Zaman.

Abbas who had also beaten home player Basit Ashfaq and Indian Ritwik Bhattacharya on way to the final, started off well by winning the first game only to see Ashour bouncing back.

Ashour, the No 30, who said Abbas was like a big brother to him, showed the immense talent he has by levelling the match after both players had been at par at 5-5.

However his senior opponent, making good use of his experience won the subsequent games to seal a fine win in about 40 minutes.

“He played really well, he’s young and has all the potential to improve further,” said Abbas of his country-fellow who is aiming to get into the top 20s in the months ahead.

Ashour’s run in the tournament had seen him down former Pakistan Open champion Amjad Khan and Arshad Iqbal Burki before overpowering Shahid, world No 17, in the last four stage.

The championship failed to draw in the crowds with almost all matches being played before empty stands. Apart from the two Egyptians, Bhattacharya was the only other foreigner in the main round of the $25,000 event.

Result (final): Mohammad Abbas (Egy) bt Ramy Ashour (Egy) 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5.