ISLAMABAD, Aug 15: The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is to write to the game’s governing body, the WSF and the organisers of next month’s US Open after two of their players were refused visas by the American Embassy in Islamabad.

“It is very discouraging for us as this will affect the ranking of the players,” secretary of the PSF Wing Commander Sajid Waheed told Dawn Thursday.

Mansoor Zaman, ranked 20 in the world and Muhammad Ilyas, No 92 on the ladder, are the affected players who might now have to miss the Sept 10-15 tournament.

“It is a very serious affair, and we even intend to approach the sports minister in that country,” Sajid said. “As a last resort we will take up the matter with the American ambassador to Pakistan.”

Sajid pointed out that last time too, three Pakistani players - Ijaz Azmat, Amjad Khan and Shahid Zaman, had been given visas so late that they could not take part in the Tournament of Champions.