ISLAMABAD: Senior squash player Nasir Iqbal survived a scare from U-19 player Hamza Sharif on the opening day of Pakistan International Squash Tournament here at Mushaf Squash Complex on Monday.

Nasir, after a lot of struggle, overcame Hamza Sharif in four sets 16-14, 6-11, 11-7 and 11-7 in an encounter that lasted for 46 minute. Both the players exhibited brilliant skills in first game and gave tough time to each other. Ultimately, seasoned Nasir Iqbal won the first set after close fight 16-14. But in the next set, Hamza surprised everyone by outclassing experienced player 11-6. However, in next two sets, Nasir by utilizing his vast national and international exposure, beat the brilliant junior player 11-6 and 11-6.

In another well fighting match that lasted for 52 minutes, senior player Syed Ali Bukhari beat Bilal Zakir in five set match. Ali Bukhari won first two sets 11-7, 11-7 comfortably but it faced resounding come back by Bilal, who after nail biting contests, won next two sets 11-9, 11-9 to push the match into decider, where, Ali Bukhari, ultimately beat him 11-7 to win the match.

Meanwhile, senior pros Tayyab Aslam, Farhan Mehboob, Danish Atlas, Farhan zaman Asim Khan Zahir Shah, Israr Ahmed, Amaad Fareed each got byes due to direct entry into the main draw.

The men’s championship, which carries US$ 12000 prize money and international points, has a draw of 32 players. On the opening day, all top eight players as per PSA rules, got bye to move into the next round. Meanwhile, the women event which carries US$ 6,000 prize money has a draw of 16 players and it will start from Tuesday (today).

Results

Noor Zaman Beat Hamza Khan (WC) 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 (26 Min)

M Farhan Hashmi Beat Naveed Rehman 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 (12 Min)

Sye Ali Bukhari Beat Bilal Zakir 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-7 (52 Min)

Waqas Mehboob Beat Muhammad Farhan 11-9, 11-4, 11-9 (18 Min)

Muhammad Bilal Beat Abdul Qadir 7-11, 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8 (36 Min)

Haris Qasim Beat Salman Saleem 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 (39 Min)

Nasir Iqbal Beat Hamza Sharif (WC) 16-14, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7 (46 Min)

Zeeshan Zeb (WC) Beat Saeed Abdul 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8 (36 Min).

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2020