ISLAMABAD: Continuing with their impressive show, Asim Khan and Amna Fayyaz won the men’s and women’s singles titles in the Pakistan International Squash Tournament here at the Mushaf Squash Complex on Friday.

The 22-year-old Asim, who had upset top seed Tayyab Aslam in the semi-final, looked in prime form during the final, as he stunned the experienced campaigner and second seed Farhan Mehboob in a marathon five-game final lasting 74 minutes.

Farhan, the world No.75, is the country’s most experienced player and was among the top 20 best players of the world almost a decade ago. The 30-year-old Peshawar-born player was considered hot favourite for this championship. But Asim, the world number 78, proved many wrong by clinching the men’s event carrying a prize money of $10,000.

Farhan had a good start as he won the first game 11-8. The Lahore-born Asim then made a comeback by taking the second game 15-13 after a close fight. The seesaw match then saw Farhan consolidate his position by convincingly bagging the third game 11-4.

However, Farhan’s lead remained short-lived as Asim displayed some extraordinary strokeplay to seize the fourth game 11-7 and taking the interesting battle to fifth game.

Carrying on his superb form in the last game, Asim won it 11-1 in style and with it the championship match. This is Asim’s first title victory on home soil in a PSA event. Earlier, he had clinched a PSA event in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, in the final of women’s event carrying $5,000 prize money, was played between promising junior player Amna (world No.121) and Moqaddas Ashraf, who holds 106 world ranking. The 17-year-old Amna outclassed her senior opponent 12-10, 11-8, 12-10 in a 19-minute clash to win her maiden PSA title. Amna in the semi-final had shocked Maria Toorpakai Wazir, Pakistan’s most experienced female player.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2019