Asian squash event: Pakistan juniors through to semis

KARACHI:

Defending champions Pakistan moved into the semi-finals of the 17th Asian Junior Team Championship after beating seventh seed Kuwait 2-0 yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Pakistan’s top seed Tayyab Aslam thrashed Khaled Aljenadel in straight games by scores of 11-2, 11-8 and 11-1, while former Asian junior champion Ali Bokhari followed suit by winning with an 11-2, 11-7 and 11-5 scoreline. Muhammad Asim and Israrullah were not required to step up to the court as Pakistan decided against playing the dead rubber.

Former national coach Jamshed Gul, who has returned to Pakistan after coaching clinics in Canada and the US, believes Pakistan can defend their title with ease. “Pakistan have the strongest side so they’ll win easily,” Jamshed told The Express Tribune. “However, I think the federation should have sent some youngsters, instead of once again sticking to Tayyab and Bokhari, because it would’ve helped in future junior events.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2015.

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