Monday, April 7, 2008, Rabi Ul Awal 29,1429    

Aamir stuns Yasir in COAS Squash final

Faisal Khan

Islamabad—Aamir Atlas Khan stunned Yasir Butt 3-0 in the final of the 6th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) International Squash Championship on Saturday here at Mushaf Squash Complex. The final score-line was 11-9, 12-10 and 11-9.

COAS General Ishfaq Pervaiz Kayani graced the closing ceremony as a chief gust and distributed the prizes among the players. Aamir Atlas pocketed $ 3971 while loser Yasir Butt got $2717 along with glittering trophies.

However, the final match proved a single sided affair, as the Yasir Butt, who had claimed two upset victories in the earlier stage of the championship, failed to display a quality game against compatriot rival Aamir Atlas Khan.

In the first game, Yasir Butt gained important three points lead at 6-3 but he could not maintain his points winning pace and hit tin twice to allow his opponent to level the game at 6-6. After coming back in the game Aamir hit powerful strokes and played some wonderful drop shorts and finished the game at 11-9.

Yasir started the second game in the similar style and earned three points lead at 3-0. The game went neck to neck till that leveled at 8-8, as Aamir Atlas was crawling behind the Yasir. However, he settled his feet in the court and played brilliant strokes and won the game at 12-10 at tiebreak.

Woeful, Yasir Butt started the third game with the lead and got upper hand over Aamir twice occasion at 2-0 and 7-5 but again failed to win the game that ended at 11-9. Finally, Aamir Atlas Khan closed the chapter of Yasir Butt at 11-9, 12-10 and 11-9. Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) announced special cash awards of Rs. 200 thousands and Rs. 100 thousands respectively for Aamir Atlas Khan and Yasir Butt.