Squash star Mehboob slams India over visa denial

Feels decision was taken to save Indian players from embarrassing defeats

KARACHI: Pakistan's top-ranked squash player Farhan Mehboob has slammed India for not issuing visas to Pakistani players and believes the hosts of the 2017 Asian Squash Individual Championship have done so on purpose in order to duck a certain defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals.

Currently competing at the 2017 Houston Open in the US, Mehboob was keen to travel to India next for the Asian Championship but was forced to scrap his plans due to India not issuing visas.

"It is disappointing, but it is an easy way out for India," the 28-year-old Mehboob told The Express Tribune. "They knew that if we were playing it would not be easy for them to win even on their own turf."

Pakistani players do have a winning history on the Asian circuit, having bagged the Team Championship edition in Chinese Taipei last year, while Amir Atlas had claimed the Individual Championship title in 2013.

Mehboob feels to keep such winners out is India's loss rather than Pakistan's.

"Pakistan is an important name in squash, and they have just kept us out," said Mehboob. "We had applied for visas three to four months ago. They didn't welcome us because they obviously don't want to lose at home, otherwise there is no reason for it."

Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Secretary Wing Commander Tahir Sultan also confirmed that the players were scheduled to depart for India on Sunday, but the visas were never issued, forcing the federation to cancel their flights.

"We cancelled our flights last night," said Sultan. "It's very disappointing for us as the players were all prepared and had trained hard for the event."

Mehboob, Farhan Zaman, Tayyab Aslam and Waqar Mehboob — all four Pakistan players had been given byes in their first round matches of 64-player tournament, which will now kick off without them on April 26.