ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: Pakistani players made a good start to the British Junior Squash Championship in Sheffield with Safeer Khan, Shah Nawaz and Khalid Atlas scoring victories in the under-19 category.
Only Alamzeb Snr lost his match to Netherland’s Dylan Bennet 4-9, 7-9, 2-9 in the under-19 competition while Safeer overcame a game Alistair of Scotland 9-4, 9-1, 7-9, 9-2 who took the third game and Shah Nawaz outplayed Mathew Karwalski of Australia 9-3, 9-0, 9-1. Khalid, another winner, gave a solid performance in overwhelming an outclassed Ian Oren 9-2, 9-4 9-2
In the under-17s, Yasir Butt swept aside Egypt’s Basen El Irabishy 9-4, 9-2, 9-2 in straight games while Farhan Mahboob was also a comfortable winner, beating Nicholas Bradley 9-3, 9-0, 9-3 in an one-sided affair. Bilal Zaman was the only loser going down tamely against Tom Richards 1-9, 6-9, 5-9.
Alamzeb Snr thoroughly whipped Sam McNeilly of Ireland 9-0, 9-0, 9-2 in the Under-15 category while Farzan Rashid and Zahir Shah advanced to the second round as they were given byes in the opening round.
Adnan Khan and Amir Atlas, competing in the under-13s were also received first round byes.
Results: Under-19- Safeer Khan bt Alistair (Sco) 9-4, 9-1, 7- 9, 9-2, Shah Nawaz bt Mathew Karwalski (Aus) 9-3, 9-0, 9-1, Khalid Atlas bt Ian Oren (Isr) 9-2, 9-4, 9-2, Dylan Bennet (Neth) bt Alamzeb Snr 9-4, 9-7, 9-2.
Under-17: Yasir Butt bt Basen El Irabishy (Egy) 9-4, 9-2, 9- 2, Farhan Mahboob bt Nicholas Bradley (Warwickshire) 9-3, 9-0, 9- 3, Tom Richards (Surrey) bt Bilal Zaman 9-1, 9-6, 9-5.
Under-15: Alamzeb Jnr bt Sam McNeilly (Ire) 9-0, 9-0, 9-2, Zahir Shah and Farzan Rashid bye (first round)
Under-13: Adnan Khan and Amir Atlas bye (first round).