PESHAWAR: Mohammad Ammad, Humam Ahmad, Noor Zaman, Uzair Shoukat and Laiba Ijaz clinched trophies in their respective age categories in the Heroes of Nawa Kili Junior Boys and Girls Squash Championship here at the PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex on Thursday.

In the U-13 age category final, Ammad recorded a thumping victory against Hamza Niaz in a thrilling 3-2 battle which lasted 48 minutes. Ammad, the current Pakistan No. 1, lost first and second sets 10-12 and 8-11 but he staged a strong comeback recording three consecutive victories 12-10, 11-9, 11-7.

In the U-11 final, Pakistan No. 1 Humam Ahmad of the PAF defeated Sheraz Akbar 3-1 in another thrilling match with the score being 11-9, 10-12, 11-7 11-6. Humam played well giving hardly any chance to Sheraz Akbar to settle down in the final.

Earlier, Humam defeated Yasin Khattak in the first semi-final 3-2 with the score being 12-10, 13-11, 10-12, 9-11, 12-10 while Sheraz Akhbar beat Talha 3-0 with the score being 11-7, 11-5, 11-8.

In the U-15 age category, Noor Zaman upset international Asadullah 3-2 in a thrilling match. Noor defeated first seed Asadullah 12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 10-12, 11-9.

In the U-17 category, Uzair Shoukat beat Saqib Iqbal 3-1 with the score bieng 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6. International Uzair, the top seed, did not look behind and toppled Saqib 3-1.

In the girls final, top seed Laiba Ijaz defeated Nimra Aqeel 3-1, with the score being 7-11, 11-9, 12-10 11-8. Laiba played well giving no time to Nimra to strike back.

At the end, chief guest former world champion Qamar Zaman, apart from former world No. 2 Mohibullah Khan, distributed trophies and cash prizes among players.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2017