KARACHI, June 29: The Pakistan Open squash championship, which will be held at DHA’s Asif Nawaz Complex on July 24-29, returns to the city after five years, said a spokesman for Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) on Wednesday.

The metropolis staged its last Pakistan Open at the same venue in 1999 which was won by Peter Marshall of England.

The city was once considered one of the main squash venues in the world. It has the honour of staging two World Opens and two team squash championships before security fears caused to shift the venue to Islamabad.

In all, 32 players will feature in the main draw out of whom eight will qualify for qualifying rounds to be held on July 22-23. Pre-qualifying rounds for local players will be organized on July 20-21.

World No17 Shahid Zaman and his cousin world No27 Mansoor Zaman will be placed in main draw because of their Professional Squash Association rankings.

England’s James Willstrop will defend his title.

World No1 Thierry Lincou of France has confirmed his entry in this US$85,000 event. The amount also includes US$20,000 hotel bonus.

The winner is expected to receive US$13,000 and the runner-up US$9,000 plus.—APP