LAHORE, June 22: Waqas Ahmad of Wapda and Ayesha Akram of National  Bank  emerged as new champions of the sixth  All-Pakistan Ameer Abdullah Khan Rokri ranking  badminton  cup  tournament in the men’s  and women’s singles events, at the  New  Khan court on Sunday.

Waqas defeated Ahsan Qamar (PIA) in the three set final with the final score 15-10, 9-15 ,15-10.

Thr first set was closely contested till 10-all, but from there onwards,  Waqas went ahead with powerful smashing and excellent placing near the net to win 15-10.

Ahsan made a comeback in the second set winning it easily 15-9 to level the score.

Waqas surged ahead in the third set after being down 8-5.

He made some unforced errors in the early stages but thereafter managed to overcome his rival bracing the game and completing the win by a narrow margin 15-13.

In the women’s singles, Ayesha caused a major upset beating national champion Aasma Butt (Wapda) in three set final to  earn the  crown. Ayesha won with the score 7-11,  11-5, 11-4.

Ayesha made a slow start for which she paid the penalty by losing  the first set. However, She got her act together easily winning the remaining two sets in a row to become champion.

Earlier on Saturday’s night, Ahsan defeated Wajid Ali 15-14, 15-4 in the first semifinal while Waqas struggled hard to beat a strong rival Omar Zeeshan (New Khan) 13-15, 15-12, 15-10.

Results:

Men’s singles (semifinals): Ahsan  Qamar (PIA) bt Wajid Ali (Wapda) 15-14, 15-4; Waqas  Ahmad (Wapda) bt Omar Zeeshan (New Khan) 13-15, 15-12, 15-10.

Final.

Waqas Ahmad beat Ahsan Qamar 15-10, 9-15, 15-13.

Ladies’ singles final: Ayesha Akram (NBP) beat Aasma Butt (Wapda) 7-11, 11-5, 11-4.