Pakistan's Nasir Iqbal celebrated his career-first win over the
country's number one squash player in today's final of the DHA
Karachi International Squash Championship to win the inaugural
PSA World Tour Challenger 10 event at the Asif Nawaz Squash
Complex in the largest city in Pakistan.
The
No2 seed from Bannu went into the match against favourite Aamir Atlas
Khan 4/0 down in Tour clashes going back to 2008.
But
18-year-old Iqbal was determined to make a breakthrough. The world No69
took the opening game and was 9/5 up in the second when Khan, struggling
with an adductor injury, called time on the match.
"I
worked very hard for this event and am pleased to have won," said Iqbal
afterwards. "I look forward to the Asian Championships in May - and my
goal is to win there."
Peshawar-based Khan was disappointed with his performance. "I tried hard
to play with my niggling adductor but it was too much to handle," said
the world No51. "I couldn't keep up with the match and I am disappointed
with it.
"I
hope to be injury free soon and do well in the next tournament."
It was
a disappointing end to the tournament which had brought international
squash back to Karachi after a long gap.
Jahangir Khan,
not only the city's greatest squash player but also the world's greatest
player, was delighted to see top squash being played in Karachi.
"I
welcome the PSA & WSA players at the 1st DHA Karachi international
Squash Championship. I am really happy to see the revival of the PSA
Tour at Karachi after an eight-year gap and feel happier that it is
being played at DHA Asif Nawaz Squash Complex where I played my last
World Open in the year 1993 and won the World Team Championship," said
the record ten-time British Open champion.
"It is
the same venue where I announced my squash retirement and due to that I
have an emotional attachment with this venue.
"I
personally thank the DHA Creek Club management for the revival of the
prestigious venue which has a long history of major events organized at
Asif Nawaz Squash Complex and will assure my full support for organizing
more events in future at DHA.
"Hopefully I will see top squash in my city once again."
Top
Seeds To Contest Karachi Final
After
surviving contrasting semi-finals today in Karachi, top seeds Aamir
Atlas Khan and Nasir Iqbal will contest the all-Pakistani
final of the DHA Karachi International Squash Championship, the
PSA World Tour Challenger 10 event at the Asif Nawaz Squash
Complex in the largest city in Pakistan.
Second
seed Iqbal's steady squash proved too strong for his skilful compatriot
Farhan Zaman.
"The
contrasting styles were a treat to watch and the crowd was amazed by
Farhan's shot making and Nasir's recoveries," said event spokesman
Kashif Shuja.
Iqbal,
the 18-year-old world No69 from Peshawar, went on to win 11-7, 7-11,
11-6, 11-6 in 40 minutes to reach the sixth PSA Tour final of his
career.
The
other semi was a family clash between brothers Aamir and Danish Atlas
Khan.
Top
seed Aamir got the better of his younger brother as the 19-year-old had
to retire after two games due to a niggling ankle.
The
11-7, 11-2 victory takes the 22-year-old Pakistan number one into the
16th Tour final of his career.
World
No51 Aamir has attracted considerable media attention since his Asian
Games medal-winning performances a couple of years ago. Friday's final
will be covered live by the national channel PTV (Pakistan TV) Sports.
The
match will be the third consecutive Tour final Khan and Iqbal have
contested - the most recent being last month's Persian Gulf Cup
in Iran, where Khan recorded the fourth successive win over his Peshawar
rival.
Atlas
Brothers Set Up Karachi Semi
Pakistan brothers Aamir Atlas Khan and Danish Atlas Khan
will meet in the semi-finals of the DHA Karachi International Squash
Championship after prevailing in today's quarter-finals of the
PSA World Tour Challenger 10 event at the Asif Nawaz Squash
Complex in Karachi, Pakistan.
Top
seed Aamir was taken the full distance by 16-year-old fellow countryman
Syed Ali Shah Bokhari, hero of Pakistan's national team victory
at the recent Asian Junior Championships in Korea.
The
22-year-old Pakistan number one had to fight back from 2/1 down overcome
his young opponent 11-7, 9-11, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in 55 minutes.
"Ali
Bukhari is an up-and-coming player," said Aamir afterwards. "You have to
be 100% fit to compete against these youngsters.
"I
have a problem with my adductor but decided to keep playing. I am
pleased to get through to the semi in this condition," added the world
No51. "Hopefully it doesn't come back to haunt me tomorrow."
Danish
defeated UAE-based compatriot Khawaja Adil Maqbool 11-9, 12-10,
5-11, 11-5 in 36 minutes.
Unseeded Farhan Zaman will face second seed Nasir Iqbal in
the other semi. Zaman, a 20-year-old from Peshawar, ended Nosherwan
Khan's run, beating the 18-year-old qualifier 9-11, 11-8, 11-7,
11-6.
Iqbal,
also 18, needed 42 minutes to get the better of Aqib Hanif 11-8,
11-8, 11-7.
Khan
Ousts Kashif In Karachi Upset
Pakistan teenager Nosherwan Khan produced the only upset in
today's first round of the DHA Karachi International Squash
Championship - and survived the day's longest battle when he upset
Pakistan-born Kashif Shuja, the third seed from New Zealand, in
five games to claim a surprise place in the quarter-finals of the PSA
World Tour Challenger 10 event at the Asif Nawaz Squash Complex
in Karachi, Pakistan.
The
inaugural event returns to the venue which has held both World
Championships and Pakistan Opens.
"I
welcome the PSA Tour at Karachi, after eight years gap," said Tournament
Director Tahir Khanzada at the opening ceremony. "The last PSA
event held at DHA Creek Club Karachi in the year 2005 was the Pakistan
Open which was won by Thierry Lincou.
"I
thank all the players who are participating in the 1st DHA Karachi
International Squash Championship - and especially Kashif Shuja,
Khawaja Adil Maqbool & Karamatullah Khan who have flown
from different destination outside Pakistan.
"I
thank the sponsors, especially the DHA Creek Club management for putting
extra efforts to renovate the entire Asif Nawaz Squash Complex," added
Khanzada.
At 2/1
down, 33-year-old former world No36 Shuja survived a dramatic 21-19
fourth game to take the match into a decider.
But
18-year-old Nosherwan, a qualifier from Peshawar, held his nerve to
close out the match 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 19-21, 11-9 after 95 minutes.
Shuja,
who has played a leading role in helping promote the championship, said
before his match: "Being in Karachi, and especially at the DHA squash
complex, brings back many memories of the two World Opens and many
Pakistan opens held here in the 90s.
"All
the top players were here and I played and watched as a youngster. Even
Amr Shabana played here in the first round of the Pakistan Open
one year. It's great that the courts are used here and how good are the
chalets as accommodation!
"Well
done Tahir Khanazada and his team for making it happen and thanks to DHA
for their support. Karachi is certainly ready to host top squash players
and treat them like they deserve to be treated."
