KARACHI, April 27: Ahsan Qamar and Asma Butt struggled before clinching men’s and women’s singles crowns in the Hush Puppies national ranking badminton championship at KPT Sports Complex on Sunday.

Unseeded Ahsan survived some anxious moments before overpowering Umar Zeeshan 15-8, 15-11.

Earlier Asma annexed the women’s singles title with a 12-10, 12-10 triumph over Ayesha Akram.

Ahsan, who defeated three-time national singles champion Wajid Ali and fancied players like ex-national champion Ali Yar Baig and Ashraf Masih on his way to the final, started in a confident manner but had to struggle later.

Playing deceptive shots and intelligent placing at the net, Ahsan gained early initiative with a 7-2 lead.

Umar, who was disturbed by poor line call earlier, however, showed fighting ability and exhibited fine smashing and mixed shots at front of the net and at the base line making the score 7-4.

After neck-and-neck contest, Ahsan took the opening game 15-8 in 27 minutes.

The second game saw Ahsan taking 2-0 advantage, but Umar came from behind to surge into 4-2 lead with four straight points.

A couple of unforced errors put Ahsan under pressure as Umar took four straight points to make it 14-11.

But Ahsan eventually settled the issue when he smartly smashed the shuttle from close, giving no chance to Umar to return.

Like men’s singles, women’s competition also turned out to be a close contest but experienced international Asma, showing consistent play, overcame spirited Ayesha.

Ayesha enjoyed nearly five inches height advantage against skillful Asma. Though Asma struggled at times, she maintained pressure on Ayesha.

Ayesha pairing with Wapda’s Saima Manzoor caused the major upset when they defeated Pakistan number one women doubles pair of Butt sisters, Asma and Uzma 15-13, 15-10.—APP