LAHORE, March 24: Ahsan Qamar caused a big upset by defeating national and defending champion Wajid Ali to cruise into the final of the Men's singles in the 50th National badminton championship at the Iqbal Park Sports Complex on Saturday.

Ahsan fought for one hour to overpower the seasoned and much experienced rival 21-14, 14-21, 21-15.

In the other semi-final, Umar Zeeshan defeated former national champion Amir Islam 21-17, 21-15 in 35 minutes.

In women's singles semi-finals, Asma, relying on her smashing, ousted Farzana Ali 21-17, 21-15. While Ayesha Akram defeated Asma's sister Uzma 21-11, 21-13. Their final will be played on Sunday.

Other results:

Mixed doubles semi-finals: Sara Mohmand-Rizwan bt Saima Manzoor-Waqas 21-17, 22-24, 21-18; Farzana Ali-Atiq bt Sara Khan-Hashir Bashir 21-18, 21-15.

Women's doubles semi-finals: Asma Butt-Uzma Butt bt Shahnaz Shah-Farzana Shaheen 21-12, 21-9; Sara Mohmand-Farzana Ali bt Ayesha-Sara Khan 21-14, 21-10.

Men's doubles quarter-finals: Kashif-Danish bt Hashir-Ijaz 22-20, 21-17; Tahir Ishaq-Rizwan Rana bt Nabeel-Zohaib 21-13, 21-17; Atiq-Rizwan Azam bt Amir Islam-Faisal Afzal 21-14, 21-17; Zeeshan-Zafar Tasneem bt Imran-Waqas 18-21, 21-19, 25-23.