KARACHI, Feb 20 Reigning national champion Wajid Ali and country`s top ranked player Ahsan Qamar square off against each other for the men`s singles crown of the 52nd National badminton championship after registering contrasting victories over their opponents at the PSB Coaching Centre on Friday.

Wajid, 28, stamped his authority imposing 25-23, 7-21, 21-14 victory over last year`s losing finalist Umer Zeeshan to reach eight national championship final of his career.

Earlier, top seed Ahsan, a former national champion, accounted for Chaudhary Atique straight 21-18, 21-18 to make the final grade for the third time in six years.

Wajid had beaten Ahsan twice in the final in 2003 and 2004 while the latter succeeded to land the title once in 2007.

Contrary to the men`s singles, women`s singles will throw a new champion as Palwashah Bashir and Sara Mohmand stormed into the final.

The former was in a hurry as she wrapped up the match against Sadia Arshad 21-9, 21-14 while the latter whipped Aneeqa Rana 21-16, 21-15.

It may be mentioned that defending champion Sara Khan conceded her pre quarter-final to Sumera Arshad due to stretched muscle while top seed Ayesha Akram was knocked out by Sadia Arshad in the quarters.

Results

Men`s singles semi-finals

Ahsan Qamar bt Chaudhary Atique 21-18, 21-18; Wajid Ali bt Umer Zeeshan 25-23, 7-21, 21-14.

Women`s singles semi-finals

Palwashah Bashir bt Sadia Arshad 21-9, 21-14; Sara Mohmand bt Aneeqa Rana 21-16, 21-15.

Veteran`s doubles final

Tahir Ishaque and Nadeem Zafar bt Aamir Islam and Nadeem Jawaid 21-16, 16-21, 21-17.

Women`s doubles quarter-finals

Ayesha Akram and Palwashah Bashir bt Aneela and Zahida 21-5, 21-6; Asma Butt and Uzma Butt bt Shehnaz Shah and Saira 21-15, 21-19; Aneeqa Rana and Sadia bt Khizra and Sadia 21-13, 21-10; Ahsfan Shakil and Farzana bt Sofia and Saba 21-17, 21-10.

Men`s doubles quarter-finals

Rizwan Azam and Chaudhary Atique bt Nabeel and Zohaib 21-18, 21-13; Umer Zeeahan and Zafar Tasneem bt Rizwan Rana and Imran Mohib 18-21, 21-9, 21-18; Waqas Ahmed and Kashif Sulheri bt Asadullah Aleem and Tarique Mahmood 21-10, 21-15; Wajid Ali and Ahsan Qamar bt Ali Yar Baig and Nouman Sikander 21-11, 21-17.

Semi-finals

Chaudhary Atique and Rizwan Azam bt Waqas Ahmed and Kashif Sulheri 21-13, 13-21, 21-19; Ahsan Qamar and Wajid Ali bt Umer Zeeshan and Zafar Tasneem 21-19, 21-13.

Mixed doubles quarter-finals

Palwashah Bashir and Chaudhary Atique bt Aneeqa Rana and Ashraf Masih 23-21, 21-18; Nabeel and Khizra bt Tariq Rafeeq and Ayesha Moin 21-7, 21-13; Farzana Ali and Waqas Ahmed bt Afshan Shakil and Atif 21-15, 23-21; Rizwan Azam and Sara Mohmand bt Ali Yar Baig and Ayesha Akram 21-17, 16-21, 21-16.

Semi-finals

Palwashah Bashir and Chaudhary Atique bt Nabeel and Khizra 21-19, 24-22; Rizwan Azam and Sara Mohmand bt Farzana Ali and Waqas Ahmed 21-14, 21-16.

Saturday`s fixtures (finals)

Men`s singles, women`s singles, men`s doubles and women`s doubles from 4.00pm onwards.