Pakistani squash players have taken the Asian Junior Championships by storm, with four athletes reaching the finals in their respective age groups! Moreover, this impressive display showcases the depth of talent within Pakistan’s junior squash program.
Four talented Pakistani squash players have reached the finals of the Asian Junior Squash Championship. The electrifying games were held at Islamabad’s Mushaf Sports Complex after intense semi-final matches on Friday. Our players make us all proud in these junior championships.
In Saturday’s finals, Huzaifa Shahid and Sohail Adnan will compete against each other for the Boys U-13 title. Abdullah Nawaz will face Malaysia’s Nikhileswar Moganasundharam in the U-17 category. Hamza Khan, last year’s world champion, will challenge Malaysia’s Harith Danial in the U-19 category finals.
Unfortunately, no Pakistani girls progressed to the semi-finals of the tournament. This year, the tournament featured around 200 players from twelve countries in different age categories (U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19).
Earlier this month, the Ali sisters boosted Pakistan’s medal tally by winning gold and silver medals at the PBA 20th Penang Malaysia Junior Open.
Thrilling Matches In The Tournament
Sohail Adnan secured his spot in the finals by defeating Malaysia’s Muhammad Ifwat Zulkifli with scores of 11-8, 11-6, and 11-2. Huzaifa Shahid won against Julius Tan from Malaysia with scores of 11-2, 11-8, and 11-5 in the Boys U-13 semi-final.
In the U-15 category, Malaysia’s Muhammad Raziq Razi beat Pakistan’s Abdullah Zaman 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 to reach the finals. Pakistan’s Nouman Khan lost to India’s Shiven Agarwal with scores of 5-11, 9-11, and 0-11, exiting the championship.
The U-17 category saw Abdullah Nawaz defeat Malaysia’s Altamis Aqhar Sallam 11-4, 14-12, 11-6. However, Malaysia’s Nikhileswar Moganasundharam beat Pakistan’s Azan Ali 11-6, 11-6, 8-11.
Hamza Khan advanced to the U-19 finals by defeating fellow Pakistani M Ammad 11-6, 11-5, 11-0. He will face Malaysia’s Harith Danial, who won against South Korea’s Jooyoung Na in a thrilling match with scores of 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10.
These outstanding performances by Pakistan’s juniors are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the strength of the country’s squash development pipeline. All eyes will be on these talented athletes as they fight for gold in the upcoming finals!