ISLAMABAD -
Shaikh Saqib, Farhan Zaman, Tayyab Aslam and Mansoor Zaman booked their berths for the second phase of trial matches here at Mushaf Ali Mir Complex on Thursday. The trials were conducted for the selection of Pakistan squash team for the upcoming World Team Squash Championship to be held in France from June 9 to 15.
Pakistan head coach Jamshed Gul has been conducting the trial matches while M Ikram, Asif Khan, Sajjad, Sajid, Nadeem and Azhar are assisting him.
Sh Saqib finished as top player after winning four matches and losing just one. Farhan Zaman remained second with four wins and one defeat, Tayyab Aslam grabbed third place with three wins and two defeats while the fourth and last place went to former national champion Mansoor Zaman who won two and lost three. These players will now face Aamir Atlas Khan, Farhan Mahboob, Nasir Iqbal and Danish Atlas in the second phase starting from May 13 to 16. The four-member team will be announced on the same date.
It is pertinent to mention here that Aamir Atlas, Farhan and Nasir were exempted from the trial matches and wanted to be included directly for the prestigious event, as they had played exceptionally well in the recently-concluded Asian Squash Championship.
But the PSF has other ideas as it has ordered them to appear in the trial matches. Now the things are looking very dangerous as Aamir, Farhan and Nasir are almost certain to skip the trial matches. Instead of a head on collision with the top professionals, the federation must use common sense and find a respectable solution, as in case the three not turn up, as they have right to be given exemption because they have proved their superiority by reaching quarters, semifinal and above all winning the Asian Squash Championship and providing some happy moments to enjoy for the nation after a gap of 14 years.
If the federation persists with their policy and drops these players from the team, then one thing is almost certain that Pakistan will not have a chance of reaching even the quarterfinals. PSF SVP Syed Razi Nawab should intervene and resolve this issue otherwise it will be too late to sort out things fast slipping out of the federation’s hands.
Talking to this scribe, the players, who were present during the first round of trial matches, complaint against harsh refereeing and described it as worst ever. Sharing his views, a player on condition of anonymity said: “The referee during my match was busy on his mobile. Despite my several requests, he didn’t bother to focus on the match, when I protested and walked out of the court, the referee awarded the match to my opponent.”
I went to secretary office to lodge my complaint but he was not present in his office. Head coach Jamshed Gul, who was not feeling well and sleeping in his room, was also not available. If they want to include their blue-eyed persons in the squad, then there is no need of holding so-called trial matches as it is just wastage of time. I have also emailed the federation and requested for justice, but no one bothered to at least reply to my email,” the player concluded.