Pakistan’s Asim Khan upset top seed Noor Zaman to book his place in the semi-finals of the PN Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship on Sunday, while compatriot Nasir Iqbal also advanced after a hard-fought quarter-final victory at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex.
Asim produced a spirited comeback after dropping the opening game before taking control of the contest against the tournament favourite. Noor, who was hampered by injury late in the fourth game, retired from the match as Asim sealed a place in the last four.
The quarter-final ended with scores of 9-11, 11-9, 11-1 and 11-3 in Asim’s favour.
“My goal was to play well and I am happy I achieved that,” Asim said after the match.
“Defeating the top seed gives me confidence and I will try to carry this momentum into the semi-finals.”
Nasir Iqbal joined Asim in the semi-finals after edging fellow Pakistani Hamza Khan in a closely contested five-game encounter. Nasir recovered from a two-game deficit to claim victory 5-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8.
In the other quarter-finals, Egypt’s Salman Khalil eased past compatriot Mohamed Naseer in straight games, while Yassin Elshafei overcame Ali Tolba in a five-game battle to complete the semi-final lineup.
Monday’s semi-finals will see Asim face Egypt’s Salman Khalil, while Nasir will take on Yassin Elshafei for a place in the title match.
The championship, carrying a prize purse of $41,000, concludes with the final on Tuesday, with Pakistan aiming to crown a home winner in one of the country’s leading international squash events.
