ISLAMABAD - Youngster Faraz Muhammad caused major upset in the pre-qualifying round of the $25,000 COAS International Squash Championship 29016 as he beat highly experienced Sadam Ul Haq 3-1 on the inaugural day here at the Mushaf Mir Squash Complex on Sunday.
Pakistan Squash Federation in collaboration with Army is organising the $25,000 Chief of Army Staff International Squash Championship. In addition to the top ranking Pakistanis; professional players from Egypt, France, Hong Kong, Jordon, Malaysia and USA have also entered the tournament.
The main round of the event will start from 29th; a total of 10 international players entered the event, while 3 players will be in action during the main qualifying round which starts on 27th. While talking to The Nation on Sunday, Pakistan Squash Federation Honorary Secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz showed his satisfaction over the interest shown by the world’s elite group of players and promised to provide the best available facilities beside world level security to the participating players.
“I am quite sure they will not only enjoy playing in Pakistan, but also take sweet memories of hospitality being extended to them by the locals. I am grateful to PSF President Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, who immediately sanctioned amount for maintenance/renovation work and now players will enjoy playing on world class courts and newly installed air conditioners in the old courts as well. The old air conditioners were quite good, but I wanted to ensure players, especially international ones, enjoy comfort and play under highly suitable conditions.”
He said entry of players from the USA, Hong Kong and France is a clear indication that with the sacrifices of our armed forces and civilians, now Pakistan security is much improved and the day is not far when world’s top 10 players would feel proud to play in Pakistan. “The PSF president has given us go ahead to host top prize money tournaments like Pakistan Open. I am sure with the smooth conduct of this event, the PSA will allocate high prize tournaments to Pakistan, like we did in the past,” Amir concluded.
In the morning session, up and coming young gun Mehran Javed faces little resistance before dispatching off M Farhan 3-1.
In the second match, Owais Khan beat Salman Saleem 3-0 in 30 minutes, winning 12-10, 11-5 and 11-8. Veteran Sadam Ul Haq did won his first match against MAdil 3-0 in 29 minutes 11-5, 11-8 and 11/5. Faraz Muhammad beat Abdul Malik 3-1 in 31 minutes, winning 11-5, 5-11, 11-5 and 11-6. Waqas Mehboob made another upset when he hammered former Asian Junior Individual champion Syed Ali Bukhari 3-0 in 20 minutes, winning 14-12, 11-5 and 11/2. Zeeshan Khan beat Safeer Ullah Khan 3-1 in 29 minutes, winning 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 and 11/3. Raees Khan beat Mansoor Zaman 3-1 in 31 minutes, 11-4, 11-3, 9-11 and 11-8. Ahsan Ayaz beat Shahzeb Tariq w/0.
In the evening session, Mehran beat Owais 3-0 in 21 minutes, winning 11-3, 11-5 and 11-4. Faraz made huge upset when he ousted Sadam Ul Haq 3-1 in 46 minutes of highly top class squash on offer. Faraz lost first game 9-11 before winning next three games 11-8, 11-4 and 11-8 to send Sadam packing. Waqas Mehboob beat Zeeshan Khan 3-0 in 25 minutes, 11-6, 11-9 and 11-7. Ahsan Ayaz best Raees Khan 3-2 in one hour.
The top 4 players Mehran Javed, Faraz Muhammad, Waqas Mehboob and Ahsan Ayaz joined the main qualifying round which will be played on 27 and 28.