PAKISTAN SQUASH CIRCUIT I: Farhan, Israr to vie for men’s title

ISLAMABAD: Farhan Mehboob and Israr Ahmad will play for the $10,000 Pakistan Squash Circuit I men’s title following contrasting wins in the semi-finals here at the Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex on Saturday.

The women’s final will see sisters Madina Zafar and Faiza Zafar fighting for the trophy on Sunday.

It was all too easy for the fit-again Farhan Mehboob against Pakistan No 1 Farhan Zaman as he raced to an 11-8, 11-9, 13-11 victory.

Farhan Zaman played a loose game. He was seen hitting the tin too often and that turned out to be the main reason for his downfall. On the other hand, after missing competitive squash for well over three months, Farhan Mehboob was seen playing his usual best game. He was brilliant with his wrist work.

“I was struggling with injury and that was why I missed the Commonwealth Games as well as the Asian Championship. Now I have recovered fully. My efforts in training have helped me make it to the final. Hopefully, I will go on to win the title,” Farhan Mehboob said.

Though both the players played a close match, the Pakistan No 1 made too many mistakes which provided easy opportunities for his opponent to go for the kill.

“Yes, Farhan Zaman was making mistakes. He was hitting the tin regularly but he was being forced to do so,” Farhan Mehboob said. “I am getting back to my prime form and hopefully will play even better in the final.”

His opponent in the final will be former Asian Junior champion Israr Ahmad, who struggled to beat Amaad Fareed 8-11, 11-5, 4-11, 13-11, 11-9.

Israr was trailing 1-2 and was sensing defeat in the fourth game, when he recovered well to win the semi-final. Amaad played well but lacked the ability to finish the match.

Sisters Madina and Faiza Zafar will contest the final of the $5,000 women’s tournament.

World No 193 Madina got better of Zoya Khalid 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 in a well-contested match.

The second semi-final turned out to be really exciting as both Faiza and Amna Fayyaz — both of whom are in their early teens — gave a good account of themselves. Both seem to be having a bright future ahead of them.

World No 170 Faiza used her recent international experience well to emerge victorious even after losing the first game. She won 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5.

Amna played some brilliant shots in the match but she lacked the experience and technique to finish the points.

Both the men’s and women’s finals will be played on Sunday (today).