Men’s World Junior Squash Championship 2010: Pakistan National team does admirably well
The Pakistani National team was amongst the 24 other nations that prepared their teams and got together for the 2010 Men’s World Junior Squash Championship. The tournament which was the 16th of its kind was held in Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. The Pakistani team consisted of six players which included Mohammad Saqib Yousuf, Nasir Iqbal, Aurangzeb Mohmund, Waqas Mehboob, Danish Atlas Khan and Farhan Zaman.
The championship took off on the 27th of July 2010. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s Mohammad Saqib Yousuf and Aurangzeb Mohmund were unable to make it past the first round. However, on the positive side, Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal crushed Canada’s Tyler Osborne 11-4, 11-8 and 11-3 in straight sets to cruise into the second round. Pakistan’s Danish Atlas Khan also came out victorious by beating Korean Jae Jin Yoo 11-5, 11-3 and finally 11-4 in the second round. Waqas Mehboob also managed to beat Australia’s Jack Molloy with set scores of 11-3, 11-6 and 11-7. Similarly, Farhan Zaman was amidst the four Pakistanis that qualified for the second round as he defeated New Zealand’s Michael Sunderland with a score of 11-6, 11-3 and 11-2.
The Pakistani team’s overall performance in the second round was definitely commendable. However, the third round was not as good as the second. Nasir Iqbal lost 5-11, 6-11 and 10-12 to Germany’s Rudi Rohrmuller. Canadian Nick Sachvie was responsible for sending Danish Atlas Khan home. Despite Danish’s effort, he was finally beaten in a gruelling five set encounter with a final score of 12-10, 5-11, 11-7, 9-11 and 11-9. Nevertheless, the two Pakistanis that remained went on to win their third round matches. Farhan Zaman finished off England’s Nathan Lake 11-8, 12-10, 8-11 and 11-6. On the other hand, Waqas Mehboob annihilated India’s Karan Malik 14-12, 11-8 and 11-5.
Pakistan was hopeless in the fourth round which was played on the 29th of July. Waqas Mehboob was taken down by Egypt’s No. 2 seed Ali Farag. The Egyptian further went on to make it to the final to play against fellow countryman and no. 1 seed Amr-Khaled Khalifa. Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman’s performance however remained consistent throughout the tournament. Miled Zarzuza from Mexico was defeated quite comprehensively in three games to none by Zaman. The 17-year-old Farhan Zaman, who is currently ranked as the 259th in the world, made it through to the quarterfinals. On the 30th of July, Farhan eliminated Egypt’s Mohamed El-Sherbini 12-10, 11-9, 8-11 and finally 11-7 to make a place for himself in the semi-finals of the Men’s World Junior Squash Championship.
Zaman has represented the Pakistani National team on various occasions. He went professional in the year 2007. The CNS International was the only tournament played by the sportsman in the year 2008. However, in 2009, Farhan participated in the International Narooz tournament followed by the Kish Persian Gulf Cup. The player took part in the PSO Pakistan Circuit No.1 and the PSF- CAA Pakistan International Squash Circuit – II in 2010.
The 2010 Men’s World Junior Squash Championship was played in an all-glass court at the El-Condado shopping mall in Quito, Ecuador on the 31st of July. After coming so far, Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman tragically lost in three straight games to Egypt’s No. 2 seed Ali Farag. Zaman was the second Pakistani player Ali eliminated after beating Waqas Mehboob. Farhan’s performance in the first game was beyond disappointing. He lost 2-11 to the Egyptian. In spite of the Pakistanis struggle and effort, he was defeated 4-11 in the second game. The third game decided the fate for both players. Zaman lost 8-11 and was knocked out and Ali Farag went on to play Egypt’s No. 1 seed Amr-Khaled Khalifa. Khalifa took the title in the all-Egyptian final by winning 8-11, 11-9, 12-10 and 11-7 even though the No. 2 seed gave him a tough time.
The praiseworthy Farhan Zaman and his five fellow team mates from Pakistan are staying on in Quito, Ecuador, to play the World Junior Team Championship 2010. The tournament started off on the 2nd and will end on the 7th of August. As far as the previously played tournament is concerned, the Pakistani team has shown great potential. Hopefully, the players will put their skills to better use in the ongoing tournament.
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