Asim Khan reaches quarter-finals of ABC Open squash championship

Pakistan’s eighth seed beats Malaysia’s Shafiq Kamal 3-1 as other local players exit

Pakistan’s seasoned player Asim Khan on Thursday reached the quarter-finals of the Venice ABC Open International Squash Championship after defeating Malaysia’s Shafiq Kamal 3-1 in the second round.

The eighth-seeded Khan secured a 11-2, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6 victory in 48 minutes at the Asif Nawaz Squash Complex at the Defence Authority Creek Club in Karachi.

Khan’s progress offered a bright spot for the hosts after all nine Pakistani players competing on the opening day of the tournament were eliminated.

In other matches, Egypt’s Ziad Ibrahim beat compatriot Yassin El-Shafei, while top seed Curtis Malik of Egypt defeated Japan’s Naoki Hayashi.

Egypt’s fourth seed Yassin Shoedey overcame Hong Kong’s Matthew Lai, and fifth seed Perry Malik beat Canada’s Salah Eltorgman.

In the women’s competition, England’s top seed Lucy Turmel defeated Germany’s Maya Weishar, while Malaysia’s Ainaa Amani beat Egypt’s Habiba Rizk. Egypt’s Fathy defeated compatriot Rawan Elaraby.

The Netherlands’ Tessa ter Sluis also recorded a victory over Hong Kong’s Toby Tse.

The tournament, organised by the Sindh Squash Association, offers a total prize purse of $82,000, with the finals scheduled for Sunday.