Israr, Kashif keep Pakistan's hopes alive

Duo to play U-15 and U-13 finals at British Open Junior Open.

KARACHI: Pakistan failed to clinch the under-19 title but Israr Ahmed and Kashif Asif have kept the country's title-hopes alive by reaching the final of the U15 and U13 categories of the British Junior Open Squash Championship taking place in Sheffield, England. 

Israr, in great form, overcame Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 and 11-9 in the fifth round of the U15 event after an aggressive display and will now take on Egypt's Yousef Suleman for the title, according to championship's website.

Meanwhile, Asif defeated Egyptian Abdalah alMasry in straight games - 11-6, 11-4 and 11-9 - in just 30 minutes to qualify for U13 final where he will meet another Egyptian, Ziad Sakr.

Meanwhile, Danish Atlas secured Pakistan's best position in the U19 event, finishing seventh with Nasir Iqbal taking eighth. Ali Bukhari finished fifth in the U17 competition.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2012.