Nine wins for Pakistan as juniors impress in Asian squash opener

KARACHI: Pakistan's junior squash contingent kicked off their campaign at the 32nd Asian Junior Individual Championships on a high note Tuesday, clinching wins in nine out of 11 matches across multiple age divisions.

In the Boys Under-19 category, Abdullah Nawaz cruised past Sri Lanka's Tharul Pinwatta 11-5, 11-4, 11-7, while Anas Ali Shah dispatched Indonesia's Muhammad Razka Idhmi Sulaeman 11-3, 11-5, 11-6 to advance to the pre-quarterfinals.

Top-seeded Nauman Khan delivered a dominant performance in the Boys Under-15 event, outclassing Thailand's Aisoon Jadkham 11-0, 11-0, 11-3. His compatriot Ahmad Rayyan Khalil also impressed with an 11-4, 11-0, 11-0 win over Sri Lanka's Lonitha Bimsandu.

In the Boys Under-17 category, Muhammad Umair Arif overcame Hong Kong's Lau Pak To 11-3, 11-8, 11-9. However, Yahya Khan squandered a two-game lead to fall 8-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6 against Malaysia's Ivan Chang Jia Yu.

Pakistan's girls also made their mark, with Mahnoor Ali (Girls Under-13) dropping just two points in her 11-0, 11-1, 11-1 demolition of Thailand's Prinprapha Palapipat.

Her elder sister Sehrish Ali (Girls Under-15) edged Macau's Cao Chi Ian 13-11, 11-5, 11-7, while the eldest of "Ali Sisters" Mehwish Ali (Girls Under-17) routed South Korea's Yeona Kang 11-0, 11-2, 11-1.

A setback for Pakistan came in the Boys Under-13 category, where Muhammad Mustafa Khan lost 13-11, 11-8, 11-9 to Malaysia's Muhammad Sharhan bin Mohd Saiful. Top-seeded Sohail Adnan received a first-round bye and will kick off his campaign on Wednesday.