KEY POINTS
- Asim Khan overcame Egypt’s Omar El Kattan in a hard-fought four-game match.
- Ashab Irfan cruised past Mexico’s Cesar Segundo in straight games.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s squash players Ashab Irfan and Asim Khan have advanced to the semi-finals of the Johns Creek Open in the United States, keeping the country’s hopes alive in the international event.
Top-seeded Asim Khan showed nerves of steel and a champion’s resilience as he clawed back from a game down to defeat Egypt’s crafty Omar El Kattan in four fiercely contested games.
After losing the first 10–12, Khan unleashed a clinical display of control and aggression, taking the next three games 11–3, 11–3, and 13–11 in a 46-minute battle that kept the crowd on edge.
On the other court, second-seeded Ashab Irfan brought a storm of his own. In a dazzling display of speed, power, and pinpoint accuracy, Ashab made quick work of Mexico’s Cesar Segundo, cruising to a straight-games victory: 11–3, 11–8, 11–3.
The Pakistani was in complete command from the opening rally, never allowing his opponent a foothold in the match.
Their victories catapult them into the final four of the $12,000 PSA Challenger event, where both men now stand just one win away from a shot at the title.
Mixed bag for team Pakistan
The road to the quarterfinals saw equally impressive performances from both players.
Asim Khan, ever the tactician, had earlier outclassed Egypt’s Kareem Badawi in a measured 45-minute encounter. He took the match 11–3, 11–6, 5–11, 11–8, controlling the pace with elegant length and clever shot selection.
Meanwhile, Ashab Irfan turned heads with a ruthless demolition of American veteran Christopher Gordon. In just 20 minutes, Ashab dismantled his opponent 11–2, 11–4, 11–4, sending a clear message: he means business.
But while Ashab and Asim soared, others faced heartbreak.
Ahsan Ayaz, seeded seventh, delivered a thriller against Omar El Kattan that lasted 58 minutes and went the distance.
Ahsan drew first blood 11–4 but fell just short in the next two, 10–12 and 9–11. He showed grit to force a fifth by winning the fourth 11–8, yet El Kattan ultimately edged the decider 11–8, ending Ahsan’s spirited campaign.
Youngster Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim also bowed out in the round of 16 after a promising start against Brazil’s third seed Diego Gobbi.
Huzaifa claimed the first game 11–9 but couldn’t sustain the momentum as Gobbi rallied back to win 3–1 (9–11, 11–3, 11–4, 11–6).
Eyes on the prize
With only two Pakistanis left standing, all eyes are now on Ashab Irfan and Asim Khan to carry the nation’s hopes into the finals.
Their combination of form, finesse, and fighting spirit suggests that Johns Creek may yet witness a green-shirted champion on the podium.
