ABBOTTABAD, May 15: Asian Jr champion Amir Atlas and Farrukh Zaman fought their way into the final of the President PSF Cup squash at the PSF Squash Complex on Sunday. Young Amir defeated comparatively experienced Khayal Muhammad 3-2 in the first semifinal in a 92-minute marathon by 11-5, 13-11, 11-13, 5-11, 15-13, while Farrukh edged out Arshad Iqbal Burki 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8.

Amir could have won the match 3-0, but for Khayal’s frantic comeback. He literally snatched the third game 13-11 from the jaws of defeat when Amir was leading 2-0.

The clash proved a real battle for supremacy as Amir, with his stylish wristwork, took just eight minutes finishing off Khayal in the first game.

Khayal roared back in the second game but to no avail. He fought point for point from 4-4 and moved ahead up to 10-9 but could not save the game.

The two players displayed some fine strokes and sizzling forehand shots in the third game, but Khayal proved better as he reduced the lead 2-2 winning the game in 12 minutes.

The last game was a do-or-die battle. The score remained locked at 10-10 for some time, putting pressure on Amir who, as a result, committed repeated mistakes. But Khayal was unlucky to cash in on them and lost it 13-15.

The second semifinal was also a close fight. Farrukh took 43 minutes to edge out Arshad Iqbal Burki. Both were too good on the run of play but Farrukh remained in control throughout the game with nick shots and calculated drops.

Arshad, too, played well but could not match his rival’s cool-headedness.