India shuttlers sail into finals
ISLAMABAD, April 4: India on Sunday swept badminton semifinals of the SAF Games, thrashing Pakistan and Sri Lanka in all categories here at Rodham Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex.
The Indian shuttlers after beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka in singles, doubles, mix doubles and women doubles, advanced into the finals which will be held tomorrow (Monday).
Completely dominating the game, the Indian players with their smashes and drop shots entertained the spectators present at the venue. Pakistan's No. 1, Wajid Ali lost the semifinal of the men's single against India's No. 1, Chetan Anand by 10-15, 4-15.
The other semifinal which Pakistan lost against India was men's double event among Umar Zishan-Rizwan Asghar (Pakistan) and Jaseel Parves- JBS Vidyadhar (India). The score was 11-15, 2-15.
Jaseel Parves-G. Jwala Gutta ( India ) also claimed an easy victory in the mix double semi final against Pakistan's Ali Yar Baig-Manzoor by 4-15, 2-15. Pakistani women shuttlers Uzma Butt-Asma Butt lost to Indians G. Jwala Gutta-Sarah Kurien in women double semi final by 3-15, 1-15.
In another women's double, India duo Fatima Nazneen - Manjusha Kanwar exhibited some excellent shots and overcame Sri Lankan rivals Renu Chandrika - Pamisha Dishanthi by 15-3, 15-4.
India's Trupti Murgunde also won the women single semi final against Sri Lanka's Pamisha Dishanthi by 11-0, 11-1. In another women single, India B. R. Minakshi overpowered her Sri Lankan counterpart, Renu Chandrika by 11-8, 11-1.
The mix double semi final also won by Indian Markose Bristow-Manjusha Kanwar against Sri Lnakan Thushara Yasalal- Renu Chandrika while in the men's single Indian shuttler, Abhin Shyam Gupta beat Sri Lanka U. D. R. P. Kumara by 15-13, 15-7. The final in all categories will be held on Monday-APP