Pakistan strike gold in Asian Squash Championship

Defend their team title against Malaysia with a 2-1 victory.

KARACHI: Pakistan defended their team title as they defeated Malaysia 2-1 in the final of 17th Asian Squash Team Championship in Hong Kong on Sunday.

The team proved their mettle against Malaysia as emerging junior talent Nasir Iqbal continued to impress his opponents in the final as well.

Iqbal outplayed the seasoned Ong Beng Hee in the first match of the final.

The teenager lost the first game 11-8, but made a strong comeback and took the remaining games 11-8, 11-5 and 11-6 as Pakistan went one up in the final tie.

Farhan Zaman, however, lost the following match to Mohammad Nafiizwan Mohammad Adnan 3-2.

Zaman won the first game 12-10, but lost the second 11-3. He took the third game to 11-9 but Adnan came back strongly and won the last two games for Malaysia 11-6 and 11-8.

In the third match, top seed Farhan Mehboob dominated his opponent and bagged the title for Pakistan when he outclassed Ivan Yeun Chee Wern 3-0.

Meanwhile, the women’s team finished sixth in the tournament. They lost to South Korea 2-0 on the final day of the tournament.

The victory came as a relief: PSF

Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Secretary Amir Nawaz expressed his joy over the successful defence of their title by the men’s team.

“It’s a relief, to be honest,” Nawaz told The Express Tribune.

“It’s a feeling that you get after putting in a lot of hard work and then achieving what you have aimed for. I’m relieved. I believe that their performances were very good.”

Nawaz further added that every player took responsibility in the team championship.

While commenting on the women’s team, he said that they have also shown progress.

“Our women have performed considerably well. They defeated Iran, China and Singapore in the event and I hope this marks a new start for them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2014.

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