Illness played a part in my loss: Mehboob
Pakistan squash player exits World Cup qualifiers, Iqbal advances.
The left-handed player added that he was disappointed with his exit despite giving his best during training. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Farhan Mehboob blamed a long run of illness after he crashed out of the PSA World Individual Championship Qualifiers with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Canada’s Dane Sharp in Manchester, UK.
Mehboob impressed with a bright start as he triumphed in the first game, however as the match went on, he lost his momentum and faced defeat by a scoreline of 6-11, 11-5, 11-2 and 11-2 in just 34 minutes.
“I started off well but illness played its part in my loss,” Mehboob told The Express Tribune.
“Before the championship, I had a severe flu and headache but I continued my training and recovered in time. However, it came back to haunt me in Manchester and I really felt as if I was running out of breath as the match went on.”
The left-handed player added that he was disappointed with his exit despite giving his best during training.
“I was so keen to do well here that despite being unwell I continued to train. But this loss has come as a setback for me as I was aiming to gain maximum ranking points to improve my Professional Squash Association (PSA) standing.”
Iqbal makes final qualifying round cut
Pakistan’s hopes in the event were still alive as Nasir Iqbal thrashed England’s Alex Ingham in straight sets.
Iqbal comfortably won the first game but had to work hard in the next two sets to claim victory with scores of 11-5, 11-9 and 11-8.
He is now one step away from qualifying for the main round and will next face Germany’s Jens Schoor.
Iqbal was delighted with the victory but said his aim was to play in the main round.
“This win has given me confidence and hopefully I’ll win my next match as well,” said Iqbal. “I’m aiming to play and win in the main round — this will be the real success.”
Zaman upsets top-seed to move in Chicago Open final
Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman and Mexican Eric Galvez will line up in a surprise Chicago Open final after surviving tough last-four matches at the Life Time Athletic in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
Zaman, seeded third, dashed Martin Knight of New Zealand’s hopes as he fought back from a game down to upset the top seed by scores of 10-12, 11-7, 11-8 and 11-8.
The 20-year-old world number 71 will play the sixth Tour final of his career.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2013.
Farhan Mehboob blamed a long run of illness after he crashed out of the PSA World Individual Championship Qualifiers with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Canada’s Dane Sharp in Manchester, UK.
Mehboob impressed with a bright start as he triumphed in the first game, however as the match went on, he lost his momentum and faced defeat by a scoreline of 6-11, 11-5, 11-2 and 11-2 in just 34 minutes.
“I started off well but illness played its part in my loss,” Mehboob told The Express Tribune.
“Before the championship, I had a severe flu and headache but I continued my training and recovered in time. However, it came back to haunt me in Manchester and I really felt as if I was running out of breath as the match went on.”
The left-handed player added that he was disappointed with his exit despite giving his best during training.
“I was so keen to do well here that despite being unwell I continued to train. But this loss has come as a setback for me as I was aiming to gain maximum ranking points to improve my Professional Squash Association (PSA) standing.”
Iqbal makes final qualifying round cut
Pakistan’s hopes in the event were still alive as Nasir Iqbal thrashed England’s Alex Ingham in straight sets.
Iqbal comfortably won the first game but had to work hard in the next two sets to claim victory with scores of 11-5, 11-9 and 11-8.
He is now one step away from qualifying for the main round and will next face Germany’s Jens Schoor.
Iqbal was delighted with the victory but said his aim was to play in the main round.
“This win has given me confidence and hopefully I’ll win my next match as well,” said Iqbal. “I’m aiming to play and win in the main round — this will be the real success.”
Zaman upsets top-seed to move in Chicago Open final
Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman and Mexican Eric Galvez will line up in a surprise Chicago Open final after surviving tough last-four matches at the Life Time Athletic in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
Zaman, seeded third, dashed Martin Knight of New Zealand’s hopes as he fought back from a game down to upset the top seed by scores of 10-12, 11-7, 11-8 and 11-8.
The 20-year-old world number 71 will play the sixth Tour final of his career.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2013.