Farhan cruises into CNS Squash semis

KARACHI: World number 109 Farhan Mehboob of Pakistan defeated compatriot and world number 55 Farhan Zaman 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7 in 36 minutes in the quarter-finals of the of the $25,000 CNS International Squash Championship at Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad on Thursday.

In the first quarter-final of the day, world number 28 and top seed Omar Abdel Meguid from Egypt defeated compatriot and world number 96 Youssef Soliman 4-11, 11-8, 11-0, 11-4 in 29 minutes.

In the third quarter, world number 49 Todd Harrity from the USA defeated world number 76 Peter Creed from Wales 12-10, 11-8, 11-4 in 33 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, world number 30 Zahed Mohamed from Egypt defeated world number 77 Tayyab Aslam from Pakistan 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9 in 45 minutes.

In the semi-finals on Friday (today) Omar will face Farhan and Todd is up against Zahed.

It is pertinent to mention here that a few international players had pulled out of the Championship.

It has been learnt that world number 43 and third seed Mohammad Reda from Egypt had pulled out of the main draw due to injury.

Similarly, world number 120 Addeen Idrakie from Malaysia had to skip the event as he had no valid visa. “He reached Islamabad without a valid visa and since we don’t allow dual entry, he had to go back,” said Secretary Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Amir Nawaz.

Idrakie was seventh seed in the qualifying draw. World number 167 Ravi Dixit from India had also withdrawn from the qualifying draw. “Third seed Todd Harrity from the USA also faced difficulties in getting his visa,” said a source.