ISLAMABAD- Farhan Zaman helped Pakistan storm into the WSF World Men's Team Squash Championship pre-quarterfinals after defeating Netherlands 2-1 in the third and last match of Group C played in France on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s seasoned player Farhan Mahboob started the first match against Bart Ravelli Farhan was seeded third while Farhan was at the top his game and won the first game 11-5. The second game started at a fast pace as both the players tried to seal the initiative but after some close rallies, Farhan finally managed to take the game 11-7. The third game was also a very close affair as both the players fight for each point but Farhan used all his experience to take the game 11-8, thus giving Pakistan a crucial 1-0 lead in the match.
Pakistan’s top player Nasir Iqbal played the second match against Netherlands top player Laurens Jan Anjema. Laurens was strong enough for the young Pakistani lad as he brushed aside Nasir in straight games, with the score line of 11-4, 11-5 and 11-5 to square things and it was all left on Farhan Zaman to decide Pakistan’s fate.
Farhan Zaman did not disappoint his team and played like a true champion, as he was pitted against Netherlands No 2 player Sebastian Weenink. Farhan won the first game 11-9. The second game started at a very fast tempo as both the players were not ready to go down without a fight.
Farhan once again prevailed and took the game 12-10. The third game was a see saw battle as both the players were taking point one after another. Sebastian won the third game 12-10. Farhan looked a completely different player altogether in the fourth game as he played his natural game. Farhan easily won the fourth game 11-7, thus booking Pakistan’s birth in the pre-quarterfinals. Soon after Farhan Zaman went out of the court, head coach Jamshed Gul and manager Abdul Wahab Marwat lauded him a lot in front a sizable Pakistani crowd which kept on raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans.
It was a great and memorable victory for Pakistan as they came 22nd in the last World Squash Team Championship in Germany and they have also not trained well enough, but the coach’s hard work and boy’s resilience paid dividend as against all odds, Pakistan team booked their births in the knock-out stage.