ISLAMABAD, May 5: Finally, Aamir Atlas Khan ended Pakistan fourteen-year Asian title drought.

Neither favourite nor underdog, Aamir won the men’s final at the 17th Asian Individual Squash Championship here on Sunday at the Mushaf Squash Complex.

Aamir defeated Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Muzayne 3-0 in the final of the continental event played every two years.

Pakistan last won the event in 1998. It was Zarak Jahan Khan who defeated Kenneth Low of Malaysia during the ninth Asian Individual Squash Championship.

“I was confident despite pressure from home crowd and concerns shown about my performance,” a joyful Aamir told Dawn having attended the medal awarding ceremony.

Pakistan has won the event for the ninth time after Aamir’s gold medal in the event since its introduction in 1981.

“With today’s win I am back in business,” said the new Asain squash champion who revived Pakistan hopes of producing great squash players like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.

Aamir entered the glass court with spectators’ cheerful backing who were up in arms during points break cheering ‘come on Aamir.’

“My coach Jamshed Gul’s support is very imperative as his timely guidance placed me in a better position to win the final for Pakistan,” remarked an ecstatic Aamir who happens to be the nephew of squash legend Jansher Khan. He won all round matches despite not being favourite in the Asian Squash championship.

Kuwait’s Abdullah tried hard in the first game but it proved easy sailing for Aamir winning the game 11-9 with the former again seeking to stage a comeback in the second game but Aamir’s relentless efforts restricted his Kuwaiti rival to 11-3.

Having an edge of better stamina, Aamir was again least bothered by a few better drop shots from the other finalists and was finally able to triumph in the third game 11-8.

“This win has given me great confidence and now I can easily prove my mettle in the upcoming international events,” said jubilant Aamir whose current PSA ranking is 66.

But the Asian Individual Squash championship is a non-PSA ranking event. So, the win won’t help Aamir go up in the PSA ranking.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Annie Au dream came true when she won the women’s final, sidelining Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern with score being 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-1.

Au was runner-up in 2011 when Malaysia’s Nicol David defeated her during the final in Penang, Malaysia.

Results: Men’s Final: Aamir Atlas Khan (Pakistan) bt Abdullah Al-Muzayne (Kuwait) 11-9, 11-3, 11-8.

Women’s Final: Anni Au (Hong Kong) bt Low Wee Wern (Malaysia) 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-1.