KARACHI: Pakistan’s Hamza Khan and Nasir Iqbal advanced to the prequarterfinals on the opening day of the Pakistan Navy Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship, organised by the Sindh Squash Association at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex.Former world junior champion Hamza began his campaign with a commanding victory over Shahjahan Khan of the US, winning 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 in just 27 minutes.
Veteran Nasir also secured his place in the last-16, defeating Loic Hafner of Switzerland 11-9, 11-7, 11-6 in 37 minutes.However, Pakistan’s wildcard entrant Anas Khan suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Hong Kong’s Matthew Lai despite putting up stiff resistance, with game scores of 2-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6.
In other first-round action, Egypt’s Hafez Abdullah defeated Pakistan’s Abdul Saeed in straight games, whilecompatriot Tolba Ali overcame Duncan Lee of Malaysia.
Brazil’s Gobi Diego secured a victory against Japan’s Endo Tomotaka.
Malaysia’s Siu Xian easily defeated Egypt’s Labib Khaled 3-0 and Japan’s Hashimi Naoki claimed victory over Egypt’s Saif Tamer.-Sports Reporter