Six Pakistan players managed to book berths in the quarterfinals of the PSF-Combaxx Men International Squash Tournament after registering emphatic wins in the second round fixtures at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. Pakistan’s Noor Zaman, Farhan Zaman, Mu-hammad Ashab Irfan, Nasir Iqbal, Hamaz Khan and Ahsan Ayazm pulled off the wins.
Noor Zaman defeated compatriot Farhan Me-hboob 11-4, 11-8 (Retd) in 19 minutes, while Farhan Zaman trounced compatriot Muhammad Ammad in a well-fought contest 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4 in 39 minutes.
Similarly, Muhammad Ashab Irfan edged passed compatriot Naveed Rehman 10-12, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 in a 45-minute interesting competition. Hafiz Zhafri of Malaysia overcame Ireland’s Alireza Shameeli 12-10, 11-6, 11-8 in 32 minutes.
Nasir Iqbal beat compatriot Salman Saleem 11-4, 12-10, 11-6 in 29 minutes, while Hamaz Khan out-witted Sepehr Etemadpoor of Ireland 5-11, 11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8 in a 42 minutes’ seesaw battle.
Ahsan Ayaz saw off compatriot Zahir Shah 11-8, 11-4, 11-3 in 24 minutes. Egypt’s Abdallah Elmasry warded off challenge from his compatriot Khaled Labib 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 in 28 minutes to advance to quarterfinals.—APP
