Yasir grabs FMC Intl Squash title

OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE - Fourth seed Yasir Butt clinched the FMC International Squash Tournament title by outplaying M Shahnawaz in straight sets 11-9,11-8,11-3 here at the PSA Complex on Saturday. Shahnawaz, who stunned top seed Farhan Mehboob in the semi-finals, failed to rise to the occasion and disappointed a large gathering with his sluggish play and poor finish in a match lasted for just 34 minutes. President Punjab Squash Association Malik Amjad Ali Noon was the chief guest on the occasion. Former world champion Jansher Khan, Farooq Shahid, MD FMC - sponsors of the tournament - former world number one Qamar Zaman, Secretary PSA Tariq Farooq Rana, PSA officials Mian Fazale Haq, Karamat Ullah Chaudhary and others were also present there. In the one-sided final, Yasir dominated with early finish and superb cross court shots besides anticipating vast reach. I opted to play offensive game from the start and never allowed Shahnawaz to prolong the rallies though a few rallies went on in the opener but when ever a chance come across I ended them with quick finish, said Yasir. I was expecting a quality game from him after he upset Farhan in the semi-final but in the final match, he could not come out of the pressure due to my fast paced attacking game, he added. Shahnawaz did not give any reason for his loss. Yasir was a better play and deserved to win due to his skilful play, he said and added: I was not looking forward to that kind of result but sadly I could not demonstrate my best. Yasirwon the cash prize of US dollars 1,850 which he received from Qamar Zaman, while President PSA Amjad Noon awarded runners-up cash prize of US dollars 1,202. The total cash prize was US dollars 10,000 which was equally distributed among the different position holders. Later, the chief guest gave away trophies to the players and souvenirs to the guests.

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