ISLAMABAD: Five Pakistan youngsters qualified for the semi-finals of the 33rd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships being held in Panzhihua, China on Friday.

According to the results shared by the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), five players advanced to the semi-finals in different categories after winning their respective quarter-finals.

In the boys U-17 quarter-finals, Pakistan’s Mohammad Umair Arif outplayed Tsz Long Yuen of Hong Kong 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-3) in 20 minutes while Umair’s compatriot Nauman Khan in the same category overcame Mohammad Raziq Putra Mohd Fakhrur Razi of Malaysia 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-9) in a battle lasting 40 minutes.

In the U-15 event, Pakistan’s Ahmad Rayyan Khalil downed Ethan Hao Wen Bai of Hong Kong 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-7) in just 28 minutes. Mohammad Sohail Adnan, another Pakistan player, defeated Shresht Iyer of India 3-1 (11-6, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6) in the same category in 49 minutes.

Mustafa Khan (U-13) of Pakistan lost to India’s Abhyuday Arora 3-2 (16-14, 9-11, 11-9, 3-11, 4-11) in their U-13 quarterfinal in 35 minutes while Mustafa’s compatriot Abdullah Nawaz lost to Jonghyeok Lee of Korea 3-0 (10-12, 11-13, 6-11) in their U-19 match in 44 minutes.

In the girls section, Pakistan’s Mahnoor Ali blanked Hau Ching Chiu of Hong Kong 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-7) in 27 minutes to reach the U-15 semi-finals.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026