LAHORE, Sept 14: National champion Wajid Ali (New Khan)  and former Pakistan No. 1 Aamir Islam (Wapda) moved into the final of the All-Pakistan ranking badminton tournament at the New Khan  Courts Saturday.

Wajid thrashed Shabbar Hussain in all-New Khan semifinal 15-8, 15-7. Aamir, however, struggled hard to beat Zafar Tasnim in an all- Wapda second semifinal 15-6, 10-15, 17-14.

Wajid played an excellent attacking game earning valuable points with his speedy lob shots. Less in stamina but more in experience Shabbar after a laborious first set looked tired in the second set which he conceded easily.

National champion had gained 7-2 lead in the  first  set, but was caught up by Shabbar at 7-all. From there onwards, Wajid braced the game and won the first set after dropping one more point.

In the second set, Wajid played a more offensive game and did not give Shabbar any chance to catch up with him.

Aamir started the match at a fast note and took the  first set 15-6. Tasnim came back in the match by winning the second set 15-10.

In the decisive set, Islam was leading comfortably at  13- 8. But Tasnim levelled the score 13-all and then 14-all before Islam grabbed three winners in a row to finish the closely contested match which lasted an hour and 20 minutes. long hard fought battle.

The  men,  ladies’  and mixed doubles  semifinals were  in progress when the report was filed.