LAHORE, June 19: Wajid Ali and Mohammad Atiq reached the quarter-finals in the men’s category while Ayesha Akram cruised into the last eight in the women’s group, in the Nepal badminton circuit, according to a message received on Thursday.

Mixed doubles pair, Rizwan Azam-Sara Mohmand, and Mohammad Atiq-Palwasha Bashir also made it to the last eight of the mixed doubles.

Wajid Ali, the national champion of Pakistan defeated Pannu Lakhwinder of India in hard fought three sets 21-19, 15-21 and 21-9. He will now meet Jaher Ankush of India in the quarter-finals.

Mohammad Atiq put up a good performance to eliminate the challenge from Kumar Raj of India in another three-setter 20-22, 21-8, 21-13.

Ayesha from Pakistan is the only female player who made it to the last eight beating Shresha Mine of Nepal 21-9, 21-14.

Rizwan Azam-Sara Mohmand beat Chand Pankaj-Shreshta Sujana of Nepal in straight sets 21-11, 21-19.

Mohammad Atiq-Palwasha Bashir beat Mehta Indra-Khaling of Nepal easily in straight sets 21-8, 21-9.