LONDON Top seed and tournament favourite Aamir Atlas Khan of Pakistan will face Egypt`s second seeded Mohammad El Shorbagy in the final of the World Junior Men`s Squash Championship in Zurich after winning their respective pre-finals late on Thursday evening in contrasting manners.

The clash between the two youngsters has justified their seedings as they prepare for the ultimate showdown in the prestigious event being staged for the first time in Switzerland under the auspices of World Squash Federation.

Aamir, who celebrated turned 18 a day earlier, cruised to a 9-1, 9-1, 9-6 victory in 40 minutes over compatriot Waqar Mehboob.

The Peshawar-born player who has reached the final without dropping a game is now one match away from becoming the first Pakistani to win the title since his legendary uncle Jansher Khan, the record eight-time senior World Open champion, in 1986.

The other semi-final pitched El Shorbagy against local hero Nicolas Mueller, the third seed and former European Junior champion from Switzerland.

With the crowd backing Mueller all the way, the Swiss teenager twice clawed back game leads by the higher-ranked Egyptian.

But, after 67 minutes, it was El Shorbagy who prevailed, winning 9-7, 9-10, 9-4, 1-9, 9-5 to take his expected place in Friday`s final.

Results

Semi-finals Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) beat Waqar Mehboob (PAK) 9-1, 9-1, 9-6

Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) beat Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 9-7, 9-10, 9-4, 1-9, 9-5

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...