Yasir survives scare to enter semis
Top-seed to face former champion in squash event.
KARACHI:
Top-seed Yasir Butt struggled past unseeded Ovais Khan as he limped into the semi-finals of the Pakistan International Squash Circuit-1 at Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad.
Wapda’s pre-tournament favourite had to struggle in a full-fledged contest stretched to five games against his opponent from Pakistan Air Force. Ovais lost the first two games 8-11, 9-11 but fought back and leveled the match, winning the next two games 9-7 and 11-5. However, Yasir showed better stamina and strong nerves in the decisive game, claiming it 11-8 to win the quarter-final in 52 minutes.
In longest match of the day, experience prevailed over talent as former national champion Mansoor Zaman overcame youngster Danish Atlas in other last-eight encounter decided in five games. Mansoor, after winning the first game 12-10, lost the next two 11-8 and 11-5 before making a comeback to win the final two games 11-7, 11-9. The match lasted 79 minutes and was one of the longest match of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nasir Iqbal and Waqar Mehboob also cruised into the semi-finals following victories in their respective quarter-finals. Nasir quashed Waqas Mehboob 11-5, 11-4 and 11-3 in 25 minutes while Waqar defeated Arshad Iqbal Burki 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3.
Yasir will face Mansoor in the first semi-final while Waqar and Nasir will lock horns in the second.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2011.
Top-seed Yasir Butt struggled past unseeded Ovais Khan as he limped into the semi-finals of the Pakistan International Squash Circuit-1 at Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad.
Wapda’s pre-tournament favourite had to struggle in a full-fledged contest stretched to five games against his opponent from Pakistan Air Force. Ovais lost the first two games 8-11, 9-11 but fought back and leveled the match, winning the next two games 9-7 and 11-5. However, Yasir showed better stamina and strong nerves in the decisive game, claiming it 11-8 to win the quarter-final in 52 minutes.
In longest match of the day, experience prevailed over talent as former national champion Mansoor Zaman overcame youngster Danish Atlas in other last-eight encounter decided in five games. Mansoor, after winning the first game 12-10, lost the next two 11-8 and 11-5 before making a comeback to win the final two games 11-7, 11-9. The match lasted 79 minutes and was one of the longest match of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nasir Iqbal and Waqar Mehboob also cruised into the semi-finals following victories in their respective quarter-finals. Nasir quashed Waqas Mehboob 11-5, 11-4 and 11-3 in 25 minutes while Waqar defeated Arshad Iqbal Burki 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3.
Yasir will face Mansoor in the first semi-final while Waqar and Nasir will lock horns in the second.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2011.