Mehboob downs Hong Kong's Au to clinch President Gold Cup

Defeated Hong Kong’s Leo Au 3-2 at Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad on Friday

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Farhan Mehboob clinched the President Gold Cup International Squash Tournament after defeating top seed Hong Kong’s Leo Au 3-2 at the Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad on Friday.

Seventh-seeded Mehboob dominated the early part of the final as he took the first two games 11-4, 11-4 to take a 2-0 lead.

However, Au made a remarkable comeback by winning the next two games 11-8 and 12-10, leaving the match level at 2-2.

In the decider, Mehboob returned to his best and sealed the triumph by winning the fifth and final game 11-3.

Mehboob, who was the only Pakistani to make it to the last four, earlier defeated Egypt’s Mohamad Reda 3-0 en route to the final, whereas Au defeated Egypt’s Karim Al Fathi 3-2 in the other semi-final.



According to the Pakistan Squash Federation press release, former world champions Jahangir Khan and Qamar Zaman also witnessed the match.