Pakistan squash team wins series against World-V

By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

**ISLAMABAD, July 14 (APD) ** – Pakistani squash team on Thursday evening won an international series 2017 against world’s five sides at Mushaf Complex in its capital city of Islamabad.

Pakistan won the two-day squash series by 3-2 after a tough competition against the best players of five top sides of the game, including China’s Hong Kong, England, Egypt, the U.S., and France.

Leo Au from China’s Hong Kong receives his trophy after winning his match of a squash series between Pakistan and World-V in Pakistani capital of Islamabad on July 13, 2017 Thursday.

On Thursday, Pakistan started the day with a score of 1-1, but French player Lucas Serme won the opening match against Pakistani player Ahsan Ayaz by 14-12, 7-11, 11-1, 11-5 and took lead of 2-1.

Later, Pakistani player Hammad Fareed levelled the series 2-2 after he imposed the first upset of the series against Nathan Lake from England.

In the final encounter, Farhan Mehboob showed a great expertise of drop shots and out played Karim Al-Fathi from Egypt in straight sets 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 and led Pakistan to win the series.

Earlier on opening on Wednesday, Leo Au from China’s Hong Kong beat Pakistan's Farhan Zaman by 15-13, 11-8, 11-9. Later on, Pakistan's Israr Ahmed defeated Todd Harrity from the U.S. by 11-7, 11-6, 4-11, 12-10 and leveled the series 1-1.

Pakistani officials said that they organized the event with the participation of World’s top ranked players in a bid to revive international squash events in the country.

Following the series, Pakistan will play a bilateral series against Egypt at the same venue from July 15 to July 16.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)