Squash: Iqbal to face Aamir in decider

Defending champion meets top-ranked squash player today.

KARACHI:

Defending champion Nasir Iqbal set up the 10th Chief Of The Army Staff (COAS) squash event’s decider against top-ranked Aamir Atlas Khan after a hard-fought win in the semi-final against Danish Atlas in Islamabad yesterday.

Nasir, in the 61-minute battle, overcame Danish 11-9, 11-8, 11-8.

“This match was played at a very high tempo as both of us gave our all,” Iqbal told The Express Tribune. “Our head coach Jamshed Gul gave me tips for the match and those helped me overcome Danish.”

Iqbal’s only match against Aamir ended in a 3-1 loss but the defending champion is looking forward to revenge.

“Although he’s favourite, I won’t go down without putting up a fight and look forward to an intriguing battle.”

Aamir edged out Farhan Zaman 3-1 in the other semi-final.

“I can’t relax thinking that I’m the favourite because Iqbal’s at the top of his game right now and can give me a tough time,” said Aamir.

In the women’s category, Zoya Khalid defeated Rushna Mehboob 3-0 while Saima Shoukat overcame Amna Latif with the same score-line to reach the final which will be played today.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2012.