Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Farhan Mehboob and Israr Ahmed reached the men’s singles final of the Pakistan Squash Circuit-I at Mushaf Squash Complex here on Saturday. The first semi final was a one sided match between Farhan Zaman and Mehboob. Mehboob brushed aside his rival in straight sets in 36 minutes. The experienced Mehboob dominated his opponent from the start of the match and won the first game 11-8. The second game was closely fought; however, Mehboob won it as well with the score 11-9. The third game was a nail biter but Mehboob kept his nerves to win it with the score 13-11 and booked his place in the final.

The second semi-final was played between Ammad Fareed and Israr. Ammad won the first game 11-8. However, Israr came back in the match by winning the second game 11-5. In the third game, Ammad again displayed superb stroke play to win 11-4. The fourth game proved a thriller in which Israr survived four match points and took it to the last by winning the game 13-11. The fifth and final game was also won by Israr 11-9, earning him a place in the final.

In the women’s first semi-final, Madina Zafar swept aside Zoya Khalid in straight games 11-9, 11-7and 11-7 in less than 20 minutes. The second semi-final was played between Faiza Zafar and Amna Fayyaz. Amna won the first game but Faiza recovered, denying any chance to her opponent in the next three games and winning the match in 26 minutes 5-11,11-8, 11-9, 11-5. This victory paved her way for a showdown against her sister Madina in the final. The finals of both men and women will be played on Sunday (today).

Published in Daily Times, May 13^th 2018.