An injury forced Mohammad Asim to quit final against Noor Zaman
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD: An injury forced second seed Mohammad Asim Khan to bow out in the final of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship against fourth seed Noor Zaman after lasting 18 minutes in the court here at Mushaf Squash Complex on Monday. Asim was down 1-0 and was crawling 8-2 in the second game when he decided to quit four glass-wall squash court.
In the first game, Mohammad Asim was looking a bit defensive, as his opponent Noor Zaman, who had toppled the top seed player of the tournament in the semifinal, displayed an aggressive game and got a lead of vital four points at 9-5. Mohammad Asim changed his game strategy and won three back-to-back points to make scoreboard 8-9. At this stage, a powerful forehand stroke hit right on his shin. He cried with pain, as Noor got a conduct warning and a stroke point too by referee Mohammad Sajjad. Noor Zaman finished the first game at 11-8.
Air Marshal Irfan Ahmed, HI (M) graced the final as chief guest and distributed the prizes among the players. The champion Noor Zaman received a prize money of US$1805 along with trophy while Mohammad Asim pocketed US$1140. The winner of women’s event Amina-el-Rihany got prize money of US$905 while the other finalist Nadien got US$570, as the both girls are from Egypt.
Results (Final):
Women’s Event: Amina el Rihany (EGY) beat Nadien Elhammamy (EGY) 13-15, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7 (48 min)
Men’s Event: Noor Zaman (PAK) beat Mohammad Asim Khan (PAK) 11-8, 8-2, retired hurt (18 min).
