Pakistan's Noor Zaman wins CAS International Squash Championship

Noor Zaman on Friday was crowned champion when he conquered experienced Nasir Iqbal 3-0 in the final of the $15,000 CAS Serena Hotels International Squash Championship held at the Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad.

Noor continued with his epic journey and went on to get the better of Nasir Iqbal to wear the crown.

After winning the first set 11-8, Noor continued with his aggressive display and put Nasir on the back foot by securing 12-10 and 11-9 victory in the second and third set to achieve the milestone.

Earlier, Noor Zaman had a solid journey in the event. He made a bright start when he defeated Hazem Hossam of Egypt 3-1 in 38-minute second round battle. The set score was 12-10, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9.

In the quarter-final, Noor defeated Perry Malik of England 3-2 after a hard-fought show lasted for 54 minutes. The set score was 14-12, 5-11,11-7, 10-12, 11-7.

In the semi-final, which lasted for only 33 minutes, Noor then brushed aside his countryman Mohammad Ashab Irfan 3-0 with the set score being 11-7, 11-9, 11-9.

Meanwhile, Nasir in the semi-finals on Thursday downed Egyptian Ibrahim Elkabanni 3-1 in only 48 minutes with the game score being 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-4.

In the quarter-final, Nasir had defeated Seif El-Shenawy of Egypt 3-1. After losing the first set 10-12, Nasir disciplined himself and went on to win the next three sets 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 to seal an emphatic victory.

Finalists and officials pose for a group photo after the conclusion of CAS International Squash Championship.PSF

After getting bye in the first round Nasir had started brightly when he whipped Yassin Shodhey of Egypt 3-1 in the battle lasted for 48 minutes. The game score was 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7.

Pakistani players featured heavily in the event

Tayyab Aslam, Anas Ali Shah and Abdullah Nawaz were the other Pakistani players who showcased their talent in the competition.

Experienced Tayyab had a nice start to the event when he defeated Ahmed Sherif of Egypt 3-1 in the first round with the set score being 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4.

However in the second round Tayyab fell to Darren Pragasam of Malaysia 3-1 to face exit. The set score was 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-6.

Anas Ali Shah had to face first round exit when he was defeated by Malaysia’s Hafiz Zhafri 3-2 with the set score being 3-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-6.

Abdullah Nawaz also had a good start when he defeated Ong Sai Hung of Malaysia 3-2 in the first round to progress. The set score was 11-1, 9-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6.

However, his journey was made short cut by his own countryman Mohammad Ashab Irfan who defeated him 3-1 with the game score of 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9.

Ashab, meanwhile, after inflicting a fine defeat on Nawaz, then went on to beat Rowman Damming of Netherlands 3-1 to progress to the semi-finals.

The set score was 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-5. Ashab, however, was then beaten by Noor Zaman in the semi-finals in straight sets.

The tournament featured 24 players from eight countries including Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Pakistan.