ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Aamir Atlas Khan and Mansoor Zaman will be the only Pakistanis on show in Friday’s semifinals of the $25000 Chief of the Air Staff International Squash Championship after both scored contrasting victories on Thursday.

Hopes of a third home player in the last four were dashed by the experienced Egyptian Mohamed Abbas who edged Yasir Butt 9-11, 3- 11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 in a quarterfinals which the Pakistani could have won.

The young Aamir shone bright at the Mushaf Squash Complex and toyed with Safeerullah Khan before completing a 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 victory that was achieved in only 19 minutes.

In the semifinal, Aamir will be up against compatriot Mansoor Zaman, the world No 26, who had to go full distance in squeezing past a stubborn Majid Khan 11-6, 6-11, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6.

Abbas on the other hand drew Adrian Grant in his semifinal, the Englishman defeating his country-fellow Jonathan Kemp 11-6, 11- 10, 11-3 in the day’s last quarterfinal.

The talented Aamir, who began the main round with a bang by knocking out tournament’s Malaysian top seed Ong Beng Hee on Wednesday, continued to look lethal for the second day running.

Ranked 65 in the world, he made Safeerullah run all over the court with another awesome display of strokes which were a treat to watch.

In the second quarterfinal marred by several controversial decisions, Majid was at the receiving end. His claims for let calls and strokes were turned down a number of times that upset him no end and the poor fellow was also given a conduct warning.

Yasir threw away what was indeed a good opportunity for him to seal a memorable victory against the 22nd ranked Abbas. He won the first two games with a flurry of fine strokes but then let the match slip away, his immaturity coming in the way.

He made several unforced errors that allowed Abbas back into the game and the Egyptian brought his experience to good use wrapping it all up by winning three games on the trot.

Results (quarterfinals):