Pakistan Squash touches at lowest ebb in 2021

Abdul Jabbar Faisal

ISLAMABAD: Professionals Squash Association (PSA) has released the players ranking of new year January 2022, as Pakistan guys completely disappointed the whole nation as well as top officials of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF). Pakistan’s four lads are in top 100 only, as Tayyab Aslam is on 46th spot, Asim Khan 57th, Nasir Iqbal 79th and Israr Ahmed Khan 90th.

The results of the international squash tournaments in which Pakistani players participated, which were held home and away during the year of 2021, divulge the performance of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), as all the affairs of squash are being run under the supervision of Senior Vice President (SVP) of squash federation Aamir Masood.

Not a solitary Pakistani player could win even a single tournament of $US 20, 0000 or more prize money during the whole year 2021, as Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International had $US 30,000 and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) International had $US 20,000 prize money which were taken place in Islamabad and Karachi respectively. It is pertinent to mention here that Tayyab Aslam was top seed player in Chief of Air Staff Squash Championship 2021.

Results are enough to expose the performance of squash federation and there is no need to comment more on it more. All detail results are as under:

International Tournaments

1. Hyderabad Gymkhana Satellite Tournament for Women was held from 17 – 19 January, 21 with US$ 600 prize money. Zynab Khan won the final.
2. BISL in collaboration with Punjab Squash Association organized 4th BISL Southern Punjab International Squash Tournament for Men & Women at DHA Multan, from February 11 to 15, 2021 with US$ 6,000 prize money each. In the Men’s final Nasir Iqbal defeated Asim Khan whereas in Women final Madina Zafar beat Zynab Khan and won the tournament titles. Coupled with the above PSA event, BISL-International League was also conducted at DHA Multan.  Besides Pakistan, a large number of international players from Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Jamaica, Lotivia, Serbia, Switzerland & USA also participated in Men & Women events.
3. SOAP Engineering Squash Open was held at Houston (USA), April 7 to 10, 2021 with US$ 6,000 prize money. Amna Fayyaz from Pakistan lost in the Quarter Finals.
4. Life Time International was held in the USA from 08 – 11 April, 2021 with US$ 6,000 prize money. Abdul Malik from Pakistan lost in the 2nd round whereas Ahsan Ayaz played in the quarter finals.
5. Texas International held in the USA from 29 Apr – 02 May, 2021 with US$ 6,000 prize money. Abdul Malik from Pakistan lost in the 2nd round.
6. Japan Satellite Evnet-1 held in Japan from May 2-3, 2021 with US$ 1,500 prize money. Haris Iqbal and Abdul Malik from Pakistan lost in the 1st round of the tournament.
7. Auston South Squash Open held in the USA from 20 – 23 May, 2021 with US$ 6,000 prize money. Abdul Malik from Pakistan lost in the 2nd round.
8. Atlanta Open held in the USA from 02 – 06 June, 2021 with US$ 6,000 prize money. Huzaifa Ibrahim from Pakistan played the 1st round whereas Abdul Malik lost in the 2nd round.
9. PSF Satellite-1 Tournament for Men was held at Islamabad from 08 – 09 July, 21 with US$ 1,000 Noor Zaman won the final.
10. PSF Satellite-2 Tournament for Men was held at Islamabad from 10 – 11 July, 21 with US$ 1,000. Noor Zaman won the final.
11. PSF Satellite-3 Tournament for Men was held at Islamabad from 12 – 13 July, 21 with US$ 1,000. Hamza Sharif won the final.
12. PSF Satellite-4 Tournament for Men was held at Islamabad from 014 – 15 July, 21 with US$ 1,000. Noor Zaman won the final.
13. PSF-Combaxx Sports Squash Championship was held at Islamabad from 27 – 31 Aug, 21 with US$ 12,000 prize money. Nasir Iqbal won the championship by beating Tayyab Aslam in the final.
14. Marrieta Open was held in the USA, from 8 – 12 Sept, 21 with US$ 25,000 prize money. Abdul Malik from Pakistan played the 1st round.
15. The Egyptian Open was held in Cairo (Egypt) from 10 – 17 Sept, 21 with US$ 295,000 prize money. Tayyab Aslam from Pakistan played the 1st round.
16. Nash Cup was held in Canada from 14 – 18 Sept, 21 with US$ 12,000 prize money. Rafi Khan from Pakistan played the 1st round.
17. Queen City Open was held in the USA from 22 – 26 Sept, 21 with US$ 12,000 prize money. Abdul Malik and Nasir Iqbal participated wherein Nasir Iqbal lost in the semifinals.
18. The Boston Open was held in the USA from 30 Sep – 03 Oct, 21 with US$ 12,000 prize money. Ahsan Ayaz from Pakistan played in the Quarter Finals.
19. Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International for Men & Combaxx International for Women was held at Islamabad from 11 – 15 Oct, 2021 with US$ 30,000 and 12,000 were prize money for men & women respectively. Besides Pakistan, a large number of players from Egypt, France, Hong Kong, Spain, England and Russia participated. Tayab Aslam lost in the Semi Finals of Men event whereas Sadia Gul & Noor Ul Huda reached Quarter Finals of Women event.
20. BangabanduIspahani Squash Tournament was held in Bangladesh from 20 – 24 October, 21 with US$ 6,000 prize money. Noor Zaman from Pakistan stood runner up during the tournament.
21. The Texas Open was held in the USA from October 20 t0 24, 2021 with US$ 12,000 prize money. Ahsan Ayaz, Asim Khan & Abdul Malik from Pakistan participated. Asim Khan played the 2nd round.
22. Canadian Open for Women was held from 20 – 24 October, 2021 with US$ 6,000 prize money. Maria Toor played the 2nd round.
23. Hamilton Open for Women was held in the USA from 26 – 30 Oct, 21 with US$ 12,000 prize money. Amna Fayyaz and Noreena Shams lost in the 1st round.
24. The 15th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) International for Men was held at Karachi from 02 – 06 Nov, 21 with US$ 20,000 prize money. Apart from Pakistan, international players from Egypt, Hong Kong, Kuwait and USA also participated. Tayyab Aslam from Pakistan played in the Semi Finals of the event.
25. The London Open for Women was held in England from 17 – 21 Nov, 21 with US$ 20,000 prize money. Madina Zafar played the 1st round.
26. Malaysian Open was held in Kuala Lumpur from 23 – 27 Nov, 21 with US$ 50,000 prize money. Tayab Aslam &Asim Khan participated. Asim lost in the 1st round whereas Tayyab Aslam played the 2nd round.
27. The 20th Asian Squash Team Championship was played in Kualalumpur (Malaysia) between 30 Nov – 04 Dec, 21. A group of 12 Teams entered in Men ‘s event including India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Japan, Iran, Korea, Philippines, Iraq, Singapore, Sri Lanka & Indonesia. These Teams were divided into 02 Pools. India, Pakistan, Japan, Philippines, Iraq and Indonesia were in Pool-A, whereas, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Iran, Korea, Singapore and Sri Lanka are in Pool-B.  Pakistan team comprised of Tayyab Aslam, Asim Khan, Amaad Fareed and Nasir Iqbal and finished at No 5 in the championship.
28. 21st Asian Individual Squash Championship for Men & Women was organized by Pakistan Squash Federation at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad from December 15 to 19, 2021. The Men’s event had a draw of 32 players whereas the Women’s event had 16 players’ draw. Apart from Pakistan, a group of international players, officials and referees from Hong Kong, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore & Sri Lanka participated. The Women Event was won by Tong Tsz Wing from Hong Kong however, Pakistani girls could play the 1st round.  In the Men’s Event, Ng Eain Yow from Malaysia won the Title. Nasir Iqbal from Pakistan could reach the Semi Finals.
29. Punjab International Squash Tournament was held at Lahore from 21 – 25 Dec, 21 with US$ 6,000 Pakistani players from various parts of the country participating in the tournament. Asim Khan won the tournament.
30. Chief Minister Punjab International held at Lahore from 27 – 31 Dec, 21 with US$ 6,000 prize money. It was an all Pakistani players fixture. Tayyab Aslam beat Israr Ahmed Khan in the final.

All Pakistan Level Tournaments

1. Khyber PakhtunKawa (KPk) Squash Association organized KP-All Pakistan Girls Under-19 Squash Championship at Qamar Zaman Squash Complex, Peshawar from 23 – 25 February, 2021 with Rs 100,000 prize money. Hira Aqeel from KP defeated Sana Bahadur (also from KP) in the final and won the championship.
2. Combaxx Junior Under-19 Championship was held at Peshawar from 14 – 16 Sept, 21 with Rs 100,000 prize money. Ashab Irfan won from Khushal Riaz Khan.
3. KP Open Senior Championship was held at Peshawar from 09 – 11 Nov, 21 with Rs 100,000 prize money. Noor Zaman won the championship final.
4. KP Junior (U-13) Championship was held in Peshawar from 15 – 18 Dec, 21 with Rs 100,000 prize money. Nouman Khan from Peshawar won the finals.