ISLAMABAD: Nasir Iqbal, Pakistan’s only hope in the men’s event of the 21st Asian Individual Squash Championship, fell to Yip Tsz Fung of Hong Kong in the semi-final after retiring here at the Mushaf Squash Complex on Saturday.

       Yip downed Nasir 11-6, 11-4, 3-1 in a one-sided 29-minute battle.

       Ng Eain Yow of Malaysia outplayed Hong Kong’s Lau Tsz Kwan 11-4, 11-4, 11-9 in the other last-four match that lasted 30 minutes.

       Meanwhile in the women’s semi-finals, Tong Tsz Wing of Hong Kong beat compatriot Liu Tsz Ling 12-10, 4-11, 11-4, 11-6 in 33 minutes and Malaysia’s Rachel Mae Arnold outplayed Ho Tze Lok of Hong Kong 11-4, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7 in a 40-minute duel.

       It may be mentioned here that the men’s event had a draw of 32 players while 16 players featured in the women’s draw. Apart from Pakistan, players, officials and referees from Hong Kong, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore and Sri Lanka are participating in the championship.The men’s and women’s finals will be played on Sunday.

       Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2021