Squash: Aamir clinches Gulf Cup in Kish

Pakistan number 1 beats compatriot Iqbal to win 9th PSA tour title.

KARACHI: Pakistan number one Aamir Atlas Khan held off the challenge of compatriot Nasir Iqbal in the final to win the fifth Kish Persian Gulf Cup after a marathon five-setter at the Kish Olympic Sports Center in Iran yesterday.

Aamir – seeded second for the event – faced the unseeded Iqbal, who stunned top players on his way to the final.

Despite surviving a 108-minute five-game battle in the semi-finals, 18-year-old Iqbal opened up a 2-1 lead over the former world number 14. But Aamir, who has never lost a match to Iqbal, reclaimed the upper hand in the encounter before closing out the match 11-5, 6-11, 7-11, 11-3 and 11-8 in 85 minutes.

“I am very happy with my performance and enjoyed playing here on some great courts and at a beautiful place,” said Aamir. “It was a very well-organised event and I would like to come again next year.



“I want to thank Kish Sports for this event and I wish them more success in squash. I also wish the best of luck to their talented players, who will be the future of squash in the coming days.”

The success takes Aamir’s tally of PSA tour titles to nine.

Pakistan national coach Jamshed Gul said he is happy for both the players, who made it to the final.

“Aamir is working hard on his fitness and I hope he’ll keep improving his game as the tour goes on,” Gul told The Express Tribune.

“He is hungry for success and this title will only boost his confidence further.”

Meanwhile, he also praised Iqbal, stating he was one of the most improved players from the last 12 months.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2013.