KARACHI, Dec 9: Pakistan’s rising youngster Aamir Atlas Khan will be looking to give strong performance in the Saudi International Squash Championship, to be played in Al-Khobar next week.

Aamir, 16, one of the only three local players to reach last month's Pakistan Open in Islamabad, has been drawn against Malaysian 11th seed Ong Beng Hee in the opening round of the lucrative Saudi International Championship on December 13.

“I have been working hard on fitness and will go all out for some good results in Saudi Arabia next week,” said Aamir.

A qualifier, Aamir is seen as Pakistan’s best bet in the tournament to be held from December 13-16 with almost all the world’s top players taking part.

The only other Pakistani featuring in the main round is the country's number two Shahid Zaman.

In the Pakistan Open, Aamir stunned Asian number one Mohammad Azlan Iskander of Malaysia in the opening round.In Al-Khobar Aamir will face Ong Beng Hee. A win over Beng Hee would put him in front of Australia’s second seed David Palmer in the second round.

Shahid is placed in the upper half of the 32-man draw and would meet Australia’s fifth seed Anthony Ricketts in the opening round. —PPI