KARACHI:
Pakistan’s young squash players continued their impressive run at the 32nd Asian Junior Squash Championship in South Korea, with five players advancing to the semi-finals across various categories, ensuring the country at least five medals in the prestigious regional event.
According to updates received from South Korea, five of the six Pakistani players who had qualified for the quarter-finals emerged victorious in their respective matches, underlining the nation’s growing depth in junior squash.
In the Boys’ Under-19 category, third seed Abdullah Nawaz produced a clinical performance to defeat Hong Kong’s Wang W in straight sets, winning 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 to book his place in the last four.
Top seed Nauman Khan progressed to the semi-finals of the Boys’ Under-15 event with a comfortable 3-0 victory over India’s Harshal. His compatriot Ahmed Rehan Khalil also impressed in the same category, easing past Malaysia’s Arman by the same margin.
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In the Boys’ Under-13 event, top-seeded Suhail Irfan outclassed India’s Abhi Yadav in a dominant display, sealing a straight-games win with scores of 11-2, 11-3, 11-3.
Meanwhile, in the Girls’ Under-13 category, ninth seed Mahnoor Ali stunned India’s Anika 3-0 to reach the semi-finals. However, Pakistan’s hopes in the Girls’ Under-15 event came to an end after Sehrish Ali was beaten by Malaysia’s Siti in straight games.
Earlier in the competition, nine out of eleven Pakistani players had advanced from the opening round, with six making it to the quarter-finals. Among those eliminated at the quarter-final stage were Anas Ali Shah (Boys’ Under-19), Muhammad Umair Arif (Boys’ Under-17), and Mehwish Ali (Girls’ Under-17).
Yahya Khan (Boys’ Under-17) and Muhammad Mustafa Khan (Boys’ Under-13) were knocked out in the first round.
The championship, which features top junior talent from across Asia, continues later this week with semi-final action, where Pakistani players will be looking to convert their strong performances into podium finishes.