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Daily Mail

ISLAMABAD - Defending Asian Team event champions Pakistan thrashed second seed Malaysia 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 16th Asian Senior Squash Team Championship, which is underway in Kuwait on Friday to set up dream final with India, this was revealed by Wing Commander Abdul Wahab, secretary Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) in an exclusive talk with The Nation on Friday.

According to details, in the first match Pakistan’s young gun Nasir Iqbal beat Ivan Yuan, who is world number 58, after a tough FIVE game match 3-2. Nasir won the first game 12-10 but his opponent fought back and won the next two consecutive games 12-10, and 11-7. But to his great credit to Pakistani youngster Nasir who came back with all cylinders blazing and won the next two games 11-2 and 11-4 by outclassing his Malaysian opponent to give Pakistan 1-0 lead in the tie.

In the second match, Farhan Mehboob was up against world number 33 Nafiz Wain. Farhan played the game of his life and guided Pakistan in to the final with a 3-1 victory

Farhan lost the first game 9-11, but he managed to overcome the odds and won the next three games 11-2, 11-6 and 11-9 to cap a remarkable night for the country.

With this tremendous victory against second seed Malaysia, Pakistan have set a dream final date with arch-rivals India in the final of the event, India had earlier beaten hosts Kuwait in the first semi-final.

PSF secretary Wahab was much delighted over the performance of Pakistani young guns and hoped that they will successfully defend the title. He praised the fighting spirit and hard work of the players and team management.

“I am sure with the prayers of entire nation and hard work of the head coach and boys we will retain the title and came back as champions once again,2 an overjoyed Wahab concluded.

– Agencies