Pakistan boxers confirm CWG medals

Pakistan boxers Haroon Khan and Mohammad Waseem confirm at least a bronze medal.

KARACHI: Pakistan boxers Haroon Khan and Mohammad Waseem have confirmed at least a bronze medal in the flyweight and light flyweight categories after they won their quarter-final bouts in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. While Khan defeated Welsh pugilist Andrew Selby on average points 3-3 in the 52-kilogramme event, Waseem outplayed Ghana’s Duke Micah 4-2 in the 46-49 kilogramme match.

British-born Khan, who was rejected by the UK boxing federation and chose to represent Pakistan, is now aiming for the gold medal. “I have proved that I am better than most of the British boxers that are participating in the event here,” 19-year-old Khan told The Express Tribune.

“Right now I’m assured of at least a bronze medal which I’m told is the first time for a Pakistan boxer in the Commonwealth Games, so I’m happy. But I’m eying the gold medal and nothing less,” said Khan, who will face India’s Suranjoy Mayengbam on Monday while Waseem takes on Namibian Jafet Uutoni in the other last-four match on Monday.

Meanwhile, another Pakistan boxer Nisar Khan will have his quarter-final match against Welshman Keiron Hardings today in the 75-kilogramme middleweight category.

Do or die for Pakistan hockey

Pakistan will take on India in a do or die clash today after the Greenshirts went down to World Champions Australia 1-0 in a closely-contested hockey encounter.

Pakistan, placed alongside Australia, India, Malaysia and Scotland in Pool A, have won two of their three games while India also have the same number of wins after their victory against Scotland 4-0.

While Australia are through to the semi-final, India and Pakistan - with the same number of wins - will take on each other in a virtual quarter-final today. A win for either side will ensure a semi-final berth while a draw will take Pakistan through.

Meanwhile, Pakistan gave Australia a run for their money after only one goal was scored by the World Champions three minutes before the interval by Chris Ciriello. However, the Greenshirts were left to rue missed opportunities after several attempts were made on the goal. Muhammad Imran’s failure to convert a penalty corner in the last minute sealed the win for the Australians.

“Its going to be a game of nerves,” Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “An India-Pakistan clash has always been about temperament. If we take an early lead and play a controlled game, we can defeat them. Both teams play hockey in a similar style and are equally talented so it’s all about keeping our cool.”

In a Pool B match, England defeated New Zealand 5-3.

Malik disqualified from weightlifting event

Pakistan’s main hope in the weightlifting competition got shattered when the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Shujahuddin Malik was disqualified from the 94-kilogramme event after he attempted to lift 140 kilogrammes. Malik, who was involved in a flag-bearing fiasco at the opening ceremony of the Games, also sustained a shoulder injury while attempting to lift the weight. (With additional input from AFP)

Pakistan hockey coach Heuvel

“I’m happy they were able to make it hard for 70 minutes for Australia, the world number one. Sunday will be a difficult game. It’s an iron clash between two cultures.”

CWG President Mike Fennell

“We’ve asked for a thorough report on why spectators have been absent. We’re keeping the pressure on the organising committee to see what can be done to improve it.”

Pakistan boxer Haroon Khan

“I came to prove myself. All I wanted was the medal. One of England’s coaches wished me luck so I don’t have a problem with the team, it’s just the selectors.”

Pakistan boxer Waseem

“I’m not content with just a bronze medal. My aim is the gold medal. I was very aggressive in the first two rounds. If my technique was not good, I would’ve lost.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2010.