ISLAMABAD, May 3: Pakistan’s talented Farhan Mahboob continued his winning streak in the 17th Asian Individual Squash Championship, outclassing Hong Kong’s Leo Au in straight games to make the semi-finals at the Mushaf Squash Complex here on Friday.

Farhan, 24, who is currently ranked world No.131, recorded a major upset in the championship on Thursday defeating Malaysia’s Ong Beng Hee, world No.22.

In Friday’s fourth-round fixture, the left-handed Farhan could be seen all around the glass court against Leo as the former registered a comfortable 3-0 win.

In the first game, Farhan got few quick points and won the game 11-5 before claiming the second game 11-5. Two games down, Lee could not make a comeback against a rampaging Farhan who took the final game 11-6 and with it the match.

“Farhan is showing good signs after not being able to perform impressively in main rounds during the last one year or so. With these upset wins [in this championship] he is likely to rise in the PSA international rankings and may also win this [Asian] event,” a Pakistan Squash Federation official told Dawn.

Meanwhile, Nasir Iqbal, another emerging home player, fought hard but lost against Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Mezayne 11-8, 11-9, 11-8.

Aamir Atlas Khan, on the other hand, kept Pakistan’s hopes high as he overcame the challenge from Malaysia’s Nafizwan Adnan 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 11-9 and joined compatriot Farhan in last four.

In the girls’ event, Pakistan’s Maria Toor failed to make semi-finals as she lost to Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 in the fourth round.

Results:Men’s:Fourth round: Farhan Mahboob (Pakistan) bt Leo Au (Hong Kong) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6; Abdullah Al-Mezayne (Kuwait) bt Nasir Iqbal (Pakistan) 11-8, 11-9, 11-8; Aamir Atlas (Pakistan) bt Nafizwan Adnan (Malaysia) 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 11-9; Mohammad Asyraf Azan (Malaysia) bt Max Lee (Hong Kong) 11-9, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9.

Women’s:Fourth round: Joey Chan (Hong Kong) bt Liu Tsz Ling (Hong Kong) 11-4, 11-3, 11-3; Low Wee Wern (Malaysia) bt Maria Toor (Pakistan) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7; Dalia Arnold (Malaysia) bt Tong Tsz Wing (Hong Kong) 11-5, 11-4, 11-9; Annie Au (Hong Kong) bt Zulhijjah Azan (Malaysia) 11-6, 11-3, 17-15.