Pakistan squash players in quest of long-due glory
Despite the extensive drought, Pakistan remains the most successful nation in the tournament’s history with 14 titles – eight won by Jansher and six by Jahangir Khan – since the advent of the prestigious event in 1976.
Additionally, Pakistani players have finished as runners-up on nine occasions, with Qamar Zaman losing four finals, Jahangir three and Jansher and Mohibullah Khan one each.
There have been three all-Pakistan finals; two between Jahangir and Jansher and one between Jahangir and Qamar.
However, the golden days of Pakistan’s dominance have faded away to such an extent that the nation’s current players need to battle their way past the qualifying round to make it into the main event.
Only Nasir Iqbal has been able to secure a place in the main round due to his 44th spot in the world rankings, while Farhan Zaman (69th), brothers Danish (71st) and Aamir Atlas Khan (76th), Tayyab Aslam (89th) and Farhan Mehboob (104th) will appear in the qualifiers.
“It’s important to get through from the qualifying stage first and then look to do well from there on,” Mehboob told The Express Tribune. “Fortunately, I have the required experience for such big tournaments, which will be a plus.”
Meanwhile, former Pakistan coach Jamshed Gul – recently sidelined after the national coach’s post was abolished by the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) – believes that the draw will play an important role. “If our players are handed a tough draw, the chances of their exit in the initial matches will be higher,” said Gul. “However, I think Aamir, Mehboob and Nasir will be Pakistan’s main hope in the World Open.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2014.
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