KARACHI, Nov 2: In the absence of prominent foreign players, the $25,000 Chief of the Naval Staff International squash championship which begins at the PN Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex on Monday is likely to throw a home player as new champion for the first time since its inception.

It is irony that no Pakistani has been able to lay his hands on the CNS squash title.

Last year’s runner-up and top seed Farhan Mehboob spearheads Pakistan’s campaign. He is currently ranked 29th in the world. Egypt’s Karim Darwish is not defending his title.

Only two foreigners both from New Zealand — Campbell Grayson and Martin Knight — are among the 16 competing for honours.

The quarter-finals will be played on Tuesday followed by semi-finals the next day. The championship concludes on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Aqib Hanif, Safeerullah, Waqar Mehboob and Amjad Khan on Sunday completed the main draw.

Results of the last qualifying round:

Aqib Hanif bt M. Shoaib Hassan 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4; Safeerullah bt Nousherwan 11-8, 11-9, 11-9; Waqar Mehboob bt Farzan Rashid 11-5, 11-8, 11-5; Amjad Khan bt Shaikh Saqib 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9.

Monday’s fixtures:

First round matches begin at 11.00am.