Pakistan’s only hope on the international ranking table is Aamir Atlas Khan. -File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has failed to produce a world champion even in 2011.

The federation has been making claims since 2008 that Pakistan players will soon rise and make it to the top 10.

According to recent PSA world rankings, England’s Nick Matthew is at the top alongside fellow player James Willstrop.

Matthew secured 17167.500 points, featuring in 13 tournaments, while Willstrop gained 13922.500 points from 12 international events.

Pakistan’s only hope on the international ranking table is none other than Aamir Atlas Khan, who is currently undergoing a ban imposed by the Pakistan Squash Federation.

The PSF banned Aamir for two years along with two other players — Yasir Butt and Waqar Mahboob — for their dismal performance in the World Men’s Team Championship, held in August in Germany.

Atlas is lingering at No. 26 on the PSA world ranking table and has secured 2290 points from 12 international PSA tournaments.

Atlas while talking to Dawn added: “I am at world No. 26 and trying to improve my ranking. I could have easily been among top 10 if there were no controversies.

“I was banned by the federation and things were very much disturbing for me and my performance was affected,” said Atlas.

He added: “I will be playing three PSA tournaments in January and February 2012 in the USA and hopefully stay there for two months,” added Atlas.

He claimed his ranking will improve in six months. “I will be able to break the jinx and secure a position in top 10.”

Other than Atlas, Pakistan’s top player Farhan Mahboob is ranked at No.58 with 1182 points while featuring in 11 PSA championship events.

Yasir Butt is at world No. 72 while playing eight international PSA events securing 848 points while Danish Atlas is at No. 87.

Opinion

Editorial

Narcotic darkness
08 May, 2024

Narcotic darkness

WE have plenty of smoke with fire. Citizens, particularly parents, caught in Pakistan’s grave drug problem are on...
Saudi delegation
08 May, 2024

Saudi delegation

PLANS to bring Saudi investment to Pakistan have clearly been put on the fast track. Over the past month, Prime...
Reserved seats
Updated 08 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The truth is that the entire process — from polls, announcement of results, formation of assemblies and elections to the Senate — has been mishandled.
Impending slaughter
Updated 07 May, 2024

Impending slaughter

Seven months into the slaughter, there are no signs of hope.
Wheat investigation
07 May, 2024

Wheat investigation

THE Shehbaz Sharif government is in a sort of Catch-22 situation regarding the alleged wheat import scandal. It is...
Naila’s feat
07 May, 2024

Naila’s feat

IN an inspirational message from the base camp of Nepal’s Mount Makalu, Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani stressed...