Farhan, Faiza clinch Pak Squash Circuit I titles

ISLAMABAD: The most versatile of local player, Farhan Mehboob started the Pakistan Squash Circuit with a bang, winning $ 10,000 opening event at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex Sunday.

In what turned out to be a one-sided final, Farhan looked like teaching squash lesson to young Israr Ahmad with a 11-7, 11-7, 5-11 and 11-4 win within 36 minutes. In $ 5000 women final, Faiza Zafar tamed her younger sister Madina with 11-7, 15-13, 9-11, 11-6 victory inside 26 minutes to earn the title.

It was resurgence of Farhan Mehboob that is expected to come as a good omen for Pakistan squash. Farhan Mehboob was seen at his usual best in the final, giving no room to young Israr to come out of his pressure.

After winning the first game easily, Farhan exerted the same tactics on his opponent with exhibition of some quality overhead and cross court winners to take the second game. It was only in the third game that Israr seemed to have been picking his game up. Some leniency on part of Farhan also contributed to the cause.

Former world No 14 Farhan played some reckless shots and was seen hitting tin couple of times to concede the third. He was seen back to his usual best in the fourth and started dictating terms throughout to emerge winner.

“In between Israr played better game. Though I made some mistakes in the third, I recovered well to take the fourth, match and with it the title,” Farhan said. He hoped that Circuit I title would just be a beginning. “Pakistan are to host many international events in days and months to come and I am looking forward to do well in all these. A good performance here in the circuit would help me improve my ranking,” Farhan said.

The women final also turned out to be mere one-sided affair as Faiza easily managed her sister to win the title. She proved nimble footed and also showed her skills of squash in much better way. Faiza’s court coverage backed by her better fitness and ability to meet the ball at right place help her win the title. Faiza dominated the first game, easily winning it. The second game was a close affair. Faiza stayed cool to win it. Madina came back strongly in the match by winning third and taking the final to fourth.

Faiza again was seen dictating terms as he clinched the title winning the fourth. Former British Open champion Qamar Zaman was the guest of honour and distributed cash prizes and trophies. Also present on the occasion were Mansoor Ahmad (DDG ADM) Pakistan Sports Board and Group Captain Tahir Sultan, secretary Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF).