DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | November 28, 2024

Published 14 May, 2009 12:00am

COAS Squash Championship: Mansoor overcomes tough resistance to reach semis

ISLAMABAD, May 13 There were no big surprises or upsets at the Mushaf Squash Complex on Wednesday when Pakistan's top-seeded players -- Aamir Atlas Khan, Yasir Butt, Mansoor Zaman and Farhan Mehboob -- eased into the semi-finals of the seventh COAS Squash Championship.

None of the top seeds faced much resistance except Mansoor Zaman who was given tough time by Waqar Mehboob.

The top-rankers were confident about their victories because the championship lacked any real competition for them.

In the day's only interesting fixture, Mansoor Zaman successfully contained the scare of youngster Waqar Mehboob 3-2 to advance to the next round.

In an epic match, the seventeen-year old Waqar from the NWFP edged his superior opponent in the first game 14-12, ensuring that he would show a trailer of strength and surprises to his rival.

Spectators however, also missed an opportunity to witness an upset of the championship when Mansoor controlled his nerves displaying a posture of an experienced player on the court.

He struck some good drop shots in the second game winning it 11-5.

Waqar seem to be a bit out of focus in the third game and lost it 8-11.

However, it was a well- deserved victory for Waqar in the fourth game as he showed stamina and played some long rallies winning it 14-12.

Bad luck was the call of the day for the youngster (Waqar) as despite putting up a good fight Mansoor claimed the match in 60 minutes, winning the final game 11-7.

Meanwhile, in the girls' event, Maria Toor, Zoya Khalid, Saima Shoukat and Muqaddas Ashraf defeated their respective opponents to qualify for the next round.

Results

Boys'

Mansoor Zaman (PAF) bt Waqar Mehboob (NWFP) 12-14, 11-5, 11-8, 12-14, 11-7 (60 min); Aamir Atlas (Wapda) bt Aqib Hanif (Punjab) 8-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-5 (37 min); Yasir Butt (Wapda) bt Nasir Iqbal (PAF) 11-6, 11-6, 12-10 (30 min); Farhan Mehboob (Wapda) bt Safeerullah Khan (PAF) 11-3, 14-12, 11-7 (19 min).

Girls'

Maria Toor (Wapda) bt Rushna Mehboob (Punjab) 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 (20 min); Zoya Khalid (Army) bt Aliya Sarfraz (Wapda) 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (18 min); Saima Shoukat (Wapda) bt Riffat Khan (Punjab) 11-4, 11-3, 11-9 (19 min); Muqaddas Ashraf (Wapda) bt Anosha Asim (Punjab) 11-3, 11-0, 11-3 (12 min).

Read Comments

Govt mocks ‘fleeing’ Gandapur, Bushra, claims D-Chowk cleared; PTI derides ‘fake news’ Next Story