ISLAMABAD - Farhan Zaman and Tayyab Aslam helped Pakistan reach the semifinals of the 18th Asian Senior Squash Team Championship 2016, as defending champions thrashed Iraq in the quarterfinals played in Chinese Taipei on Friday.
As per expectations, mighty Pakistan was too for minnows Iraq. They had passed easy tests, and now comes one of the biggest obstacles in the shape of India in the semifinals. Although Indians are relatively very weak in the absence of Mahesh and Saurav Ghosal, yet they are still a force to reckon with as they have the likes of Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu and young gun Kush Kumar, who can create troubles for the holders. Top seeds Hong Kong have to face Japan in the second semifinal, after both registered victories in the quarterfinals against their respective opponents. Pakistan outclassed Iraq 2-0.
Pakistan top squash player Farhan Zaman in the absence of Nasir Iqbal shouldered the lime share of responsibility, while veteran Farhan Mehboob, Tayyab Aslam and Israr are also there to steady the ship. Farhan Zaman started quarterfinals against Iraqi Husham Abdulkareem Sabeeh Al-Saadi and faced some resistance in the first game as both the players gave their best and the game kept on swinging from one way to another, but Farhan then used his international experience and took the game 12-10. After playing such tough and competitive squash in the first game, Husham ran out of gas and was simply a silent spectator in the second game as Zaman was just toying with Husham and later, comfortably took the second game 11-5. After playing so well in the second game, Zaman, like he had developed an habit of taking things casually, allowed Hasham too much liberty and space, and the Iraqi took full advantage of the Zaman’s lenient approach, which almost cost him dearly. Had he not changed gears and woke up early, he could have easily lost the third game, as Hasham was leading 7-3, but Zaman played highly aggressive game and first leveled the score at 7-7 and then went onto take the game 11-8, thus gave Pakistan 1-0 lead.
Tayyaz Aslam was given nod of approval ahead of Israr and Farhan Mehboob for the second and most crucial match against M Ferman Hasan Hasan. Tayyab played superb squash in the first game and outclassed Hasan winning the game 11-1. But it was completely different Hasan in the second game, who dictated terms in the entire game but it was good luck of Tayyab that Hasan made some crucial blunders which cost him dearly, otherwise, he could have won the second game easily. Tayyab was trailing in the entire game, but he kept his composure and took the game 13-11. Same was the case in the third game, as Hasan played out his heart and gave Tayyab real run for his money before going down fighting 11-9.
Pakistan’s most experienced player Farhan Mehboob was set to play the third match, but Iraq withdrew Rasool Hashim Abdullah Al-Sultani as it was dead rubber and had no impact on overall standings.
Pakistan will take on archrivals India in the semifinals today (Saturday). Although Pakistan had the advantage on the rivals in the absence of key Indian players, yet Farhan Zaman, Farhan Mehboob and Tayyab or Isar had to play very sensibly and should not allow them any second invitations as they are more than capable of beating any given side just like they did to Malaysia in the quarterfinals.