Serena-Huawei Int’l Squash C’ship: Egyptian ElShirbini downs Farhan to lift trophy

ISLAMABAD: Egyptians kept their stranglehold on the international PSA circuit as Mohamed ElShirbini accounted for local lad Farhan Mehboob in a hard fought five-game thriller to win the $ 20,000 Serena Hotels-Huawei International Squash title at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex Wednesday.

The final that could have gone either way saw ElShirbini forcing much experience Farhan follow his game plan much of the time to win 11-5, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8. “I knew well he is good at the front of the court and that was the reason I did not want him to play near to the tin. Farhan is too good there. My strategy worked to my liking and I went on to win the title. Had I played lose game and the one that is suited to Farhan I had no chance against the gutsy Pakistani,” ElShirbini admitted while talking to The News after landing the title.

World No 74 Egyptian said he knew he had a chance but only if Farhan was upstaged. “He has got much better shots and I could not afford to see him striking one after another in a title match. That is why I planned my strategy and succeeded in that.” It was a slow and tried looking start by Farhan Mehboob as ElShirbini raced to decisive lead in the first game. He kept on increasing that to get clear at 8-4 and then wrapping up the first courtesy to couple of tins hit by Farhan. It was all going well for Farhan in the second as he started playing his normal shots backed and supported by winners he was famous for.

Two delightfully managed cross-court nicks helped Farhan widened the gap to 8-3 before a lengthy rally saw both crashing into each other. Farhan however was cool enough to take the second with ease.

The rough and tough third game saw both making full use of their potential. While Farhan tried to hit winners, Egyptian’s every effort was to make him play deep rather than presenting him easy winner opportunities at front of court. Both again crashed into each other and were seen down on the count. Farhan made couple of exciting body doges to earn crucial points. Two-strokes at the fag end of the game helped him close down the third. ElSherbini made stunning comeback in the fourth, putting some early pressure on Farhan to take control of the fourth. The Egyptian was too nimble footed and used his abilities to pick every winner Farhan was striking in the fourth. His understanding of the game outmaneuvered Farhan. Farhan’s every wait to get the loose ball on the front court in the fourth went fruitless as ElShirbini kept him deep.

The fifth game was more played according to planning chalked up by ElSherbini. The Egyptian kept Farhan at bay and never allowed him to play to his strength. Farhan’s efforts utilise his wrist never materiallisd as Egyptian kept him far off from the tin. On the contrary, ElShirbini uncanny ability to pick every ball and keep Farhan off the tin earned him the title.

Lt Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hasan, President Pakistan Olympic Association, graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and awarded trophies and prize money to the players. Senior Vice President, PSF Air Marshal Shahid Akhtar Alvi, squash legends Qamar Zaman, Jansher Khan and a large number of dignitaries and squash enthusiasts were also present during the ceremony.