ISLAMABAD- Nasir Iqbal and Farhan Zaman spoiled all the good work done by Farhan Mahboob as both of them lost their respective matches despite Farhan Mahboob giving Pakistan 1-0 lead. Pakistan finished 10th after losing 2-1 to Scotland in the WSF World Men's Team Squash Championship 2013 play offs match played in France on Saturday. Farhan Mahboob started the proceedings in he first match against Douglas Kempsell. Farhan was in awesome mood as he brushed aside Douglas 3-0. He won the first game 11-4 and second game 11-7 before winning the third game 11-5 to give Pakistan an ideal start.
It was left on Nasir Iqbal to land Pakistan home, but he threw away Pakistan's advantage as he lost 3-0 against Alan Clyne. Nasir played like a kid against top professional and he was never in the game right from the start to finish. Despite being arguably most blessed player, he not only let himself down but also the country by losing majority of his matches in the championship. Nasir was very pathetic and out of sorts as he lost the first game 5-11, second 4-11 and third 3-11. What is the purpose of keeping faith in Nasir despite being fully aware of the fact he was losing almost every match. The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) should have sought explanation from Nasir for his media outburst against the federation and blaming for his illness in Scotland, but he not only managed to get away from any punishment but also managed to book a birth in the national team.
In the third and must win match, Farhan Zaman lost his match against Greg Lobban 2-11, 6-11, 9-11. What was the purpose of taking Sh Saqib if he was only needed in one match and that too only in the opening one against Russia which he successfully won? Nasir was not performing well then what were the reasons of keeping faith in him?
When this scribe contacted head coach Jamshed Gul to seek his point of view, he replied: “According to me, the team was good enough to finish in top eight but the casual attitude of players cost the country dearly otherwise we could have even reached the semifinals.” Keeping in mind a relatively weak Pakistani side and provision of very short time to them for training, this is not a bad result at all for them as last time, they finished 22nd in Germany.
Had these players, instead of participating in the PSA events, focused on training, the results could have been far different. Now it is the time, the federation instead of making tall claims and wasting their energies on self promotion must face the ground realities and invest generously on fresh players and organise talent hunt camps in all the major cities of the country and groom the raw talent with the top available group of players. It will serve the federation and help them in overcoming shortage of top notched players, who can win laurels for the country at international stage.
The PSF is blessed and quite fortunate they have the world's best coach available in shape of Jamshed Gul. The only need of the hour is to utilize his services properly and the federation can also seek assistance and much-needed help from legends as Jahangir Khan has also promised to help out the country if genuine persons replace the current incumbent management.
Meanwhile, top seeds and holders Egypt and No 2 seeds England will clash in the final after defeating their respective opponents in the semi-finals. In the first semifinal, Egypt had to struggles hard to overcome a resilient Australia 2-1 while England comfortably dispatched off hosts France 2-0.