Squash: Pakistan ease into World Junior quarters

Danish has been rested by the coach due to a minor injury but hopes to lead Pakistan into the semis. PHOTO: WSF

Pakistan, who now sit top of Group B, moved into the quarter-finals courtesy a bye in the last-16 round.

Tayyab Aslam defeated Hasnain Obaid Dakheel 3-0 (11-6, 11-4 and 11-6) in just 21 minutes while Nasir Iqbal saw off Mohammed Farman Hasan 3-0 (11-8, 11-4 and 11-6) as well. Meanwhile, Hamza Bokhari wrapped up his match in just 17 minutes, dispatching Saiduldeen Ahmed Salman 11-6, 11-3 and 11-4.

On Friday, Pakistan had defeated New Zealand 3-0. The team is yet to play captain Danish Atlas Khan who has been rested by coach Jamshed Gul following his semi-final appearance in the individuals category. Atlas has also been nursing a minor injury which he sustained during his match against Marwan El Shorbagy but Gul believes that he will be ready for the quarter-finals.

“Atlas has minor cramp which is why we’ve rested him from the group matches,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “We want him to recover for the all-important quarter-final as well as future matches if we progress. In his absence, the other guys have stood up and finished the job quite well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2012.