KARACHI, May 22: Promising Farhan Zaman of the Pakistan Navy kept his cool when he overpowered fighting third seed Waqar Mehboob of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in a fierce five-set battle to land his maiden boys Under-19 title in the Rs300,000 Roshan Khan Junior Open squash Championship on Thursday.

Farhan, 17, who was unseeded in the event, recovered from 1-4 down in the fifth and decisive set to post a 9-2, 9-6, 8-10, 5-9, 10-8 victory in the 89 minute duel against his opponent at the PN Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex.

“I was confident of capturing the crown after eliminating the top seed Shoaib Hassan in the semi-final the other day,” an elated nephew of former British Open champion, Qamar Zaman, told Dawn.

Farhan, who had British under-13 and under-15 titles under his belt was blanked 3-0 by Waqar in the seniors event of the CAS squash championship held at Islamabad recently.

Fresh from his triumphs in the preceding matches, Farhan started the final on an aggressive note winning the first set with ease 9-2 in just seven minutes.

He thwarted little pressure from his opponent and consolidated his lead taking the next set 9-6 in 19 minutes after being tied 4-4 and 5-5.

Waqar, the losing semi-finalist of Asian junior squash in Hong Kong last year, bounced back and raced on to lead 6-0 in the third. However, looking exhausted he failed to maintain it as Farhan not only leveled 6-6 but surged 8-6 ahead needing match point to wrap up. Waqar first made it 8-8 and then won 10-8 to reduce the deficit 1-2.

Waqar earned three stroke points and scored winners as he made it 2-2 taking the fourth set 9-5 in 13 minutes.

Enjoying a 4-1 lead in the decisive set Waqar lost his concentration as he indulged in arguments with referee. At one stage both the players were locked 8-8 but while trying to play a shot Waqar slipped in the court. The match was stopped for a minute as he came out of the court to get first aid but failed to prevent his opponent from 10-8 victory.

The victory earned Farhan a purse of Rs11,400 while Waqar received runner-up prize of Rs7,800. Contrary to the boys under-19 final, top seed Zoya Khalid lived up to her reputation when she cut third seed Aliya Sarfaraz to size by imposing 9-4, 9-6, 9-2 victory in 19 minutes to land girls under-19 crown.

Zoya was rewarded Rs6,650 while Aliya took home Rs4,550.

Punjab’s Riffat Khan, the top seed, recovered from 1-2 down to beat second seed Habiba Khan from Sindh in five gruelling sets to clinch girls’ under-15 title.

Riffat was home 6-9, 9-3, 9-10, 10-9, 10-8 in 56 minutes and fetched Rs3,800. Habiba got Rs2,600.

The boys’ under-17 title went to PAF’s Waqas Mehboob who carved out a straight 9-1, 9-4, 9-2 victory over second seed Raees Khan.

Waqas received Rs9,500 while Raees earned Rs6,500.

Three other top seeds – Nasir Iqbal, Ali Bokhari and Israr Ahmed – won the boys’ under-15, under-13 and under-11 titles.

President, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Lt. Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hassan, who is chairman of Pakistan Sports Trust (PST), graced the occasion and gave away the prizes. Squash celebrity Jahangir Khan was also present on the occasion.

Final results:

Boys under-19: Farhan Zaman (PN) bt Waqar Mehboob (PAF) 9-2, 9-6, 8-10, 5-9, 10-8.

Boys under-17: Waqas Mehboob (PAF) bt Raees Khan (PAF) 9-1, 9-4, 9-2.

Boys under-15: Nasir Iqbal (PAF) bt Faraz Khan (PAF) 9-1, 9-1, 9-0.

Boys under-13: Ali Bukhari (Punjab) bt M. Tayyab Aslam (Punjab) 9-5, 9-4, 9-5.

Boys under-11: Israr Ahmed (Punjab) bt Imam Sher Khan (Punjab) 9-3, 10-8, 9-5.

Girls under-19: Zoya Khalid (Punjab) bt Aliya Sarfaraz (Punjab) 9-4, 9-6, 9-2.

Girls under-15: Riffat Khan (Punjab) bt Habiba Khan (Sindh) 6-9, 9-3, 9-10, 10-9, 10-8.