Pak trio storms into CAS Squash semis

ISLAMABAD: Three local players led by Ashab Irfan earned places in the semi-finals of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)-Serena Hotels International Squash Championship following exciting quarter-finals here at the Mushaf Squash Complex Wednesday.

Nasir Iqbal, Noor Zaman are other Pakistani players who made it to the pre-finals. Top seed Egyptian Ibrahim Elkabbani, who prevailed over Darren Pragasam (Mas) 17-15, 11-6, 11-5, was the only foreign player making it to the last four stage. He will now take on Nasir Iqbal in the semis today (Thursday). Nasir had to work hard to beat Seif El Shenawy (Egy) in four games 10-12, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5.

The other semi-finals on Tuesday will see Pakistan’s main hope Ashab taking on Noor Zaman. Noor had to exert hard to beat English opponent Perry Malik in a five-game thriller 14-12, 5-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7. The match lasted for 54 minutes. Ashab also took 44 minutes to beat Rowan Damming (The Netherlands) 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-5.

Quarter-finals results: Ibrahim Elkabbani (Egy) bt Darren Pragasam (Mas) 17-15, 11-6, 11-5 (29 Min), Nasir Iqbal (Pak) bt Seif El Shenawy (Egy) 10-12, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (35 Min), Ashab Irfan (Pak) bt Rowan Damming (Ned) 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-5 (48 Min) and Noor Zaman (Pak) bt Perry Malik (Eng) 14-12, 5-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7 (54 Min).