ISLAMABAD, Nov 12: Safeerullah from Pakistan cruised into the semi-final of Pakistan Open Squash Championship, defeating Kashif Shuja from New Zealand 3-2 in a crucial quarter-final played at Mushaf Squash Complex on Wednesday.

Safeer, ranked 214 in the world, played some delightful drives and drop shots keeping Kashif, No 41, on the run and emerged the winner in a thrilling 64-minute encounter.

Safeer won the first game 11-9 by playing good drop shots and getting some easy strokes. He also won his second game in a similar manner.

However, the lanky New Zealander made a comeback in the third game because of sheer good stamina.

A tiring Safeer could not maintain a winning streak in the third game. Both the players were level 10-10 then again at 11-11 with Kashif edging him out 11-13.

In the fourth game Safeer could not put up an impressive display and again lost 3-11.

Safeer regained his hold in the last game and despite losing early points ended the game in style winning 11-9.

Safeer will now face Farhan Mehboob, top seed of the championship, in the semi-final on Thursday.

In other matches, Farhan Mehboob thrashed Yasir Butt 3-2 in a 69-minute fixture. Farhan won 11-8, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6. Mansoor Zaman overcame Campbell Grayson from New Zealand 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3. Second seed Aamir Atlas Khan from Pakistan easily sidelined compatriot Waqar Mehboob in straight games winning it 11-4, 11-9, 11-4. Aamir will face Mansoor Zaman in the second-semi final.

Meanwhile, in the women’s event Pakistani players Rushna Mehboob, Maria Toor, Muqaddas Ashraf and Saima Shaukat, were all ousted from the championship, losing their respective games against foreign players.

Christina Mak from Hong Kong, also the top seed of the championship, walloped Rushna Mehboob 11-4, 11-4, 11-5. Christina Mak will face Egypt’s Sara Elnoamany in the semi-final. Sara won the match against Maria Toor from Pakistan 11-13, 13-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7. Heba Eltorky from Egypt will vie against Joe Chan from Hong Kong in the second semi-final.

Results:

Men’s:

Farhan Mehboob (Pakistan) bt Yasir Butt (Pakistan) 11-8, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6; Safeerullah Khan (Pakistan) bt Kashif Shuja (New Zealand) 11-9,11-9,11-13,3-11,11-9; Mansoor Zaman (Pakistan) bt Campbell Grayson (New Zealand) 11-7, 7-11, 11-5,11-3; Aamir Atlas (Pakistan) bt Waqar Mehboob (Pakistan) 11-4, 11-9, 11-4.

Women’s:

Christina Mak (Hong Kong) bt Rushna Mehboob (Pakistan) 11-4,11-4,11-5; Sara El Noamany (Egypt) bt Maria Toor (Pakistan) 11-13,13-11,4-11,11-9,11-7; Heba Eltorky (Egypt) bt Muqaddas Ashraf (Pakistan) 11-5,11-6,11-4; Joe Chan (Hong Kong) bt Saima Shaukat (Pakistan) 11-7,11-3,11-2.