Egyptian Mohamed Elshirbini clinched the Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Tournament tfor Men Trophy, by defeating Farhan Mehboob of Pakistan here. Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Arif Hasan President Pakistan Olympic Association, was Chief Guest at the occasion. Air Marshal Shahid Akhtar Alvi, Senior Vice President Pakistan Squash Federation, senior serving PAF officers, former World Champions Qamar Zaman, Jan Sher Khan along with a large number of squash lovers witnessed the match.
The final of Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Tournament for Men was a thrilling contest between Farhan Mehboob and Mohamed Elshirbini. Mohamed Elshirbini dominated his opponent in the first game and easily won it with the game score 11/5. The second game was convincingly won by Farhan Mehboob with the game score 11/5. The third game was a close contest, which was won by Farham with the game score 11/8. Mohamed Elshirbini came back in the match by winning fourth game with the game score 11/7. Mohamed Elshirbini also won fifth and final game with the game score 11/8 and clinched the prestigious title. The match lasted for 51 minutes.
A day earlier, Semi-finals were played at Mushaf Squash complex, Islamabad today. Farhan Mehboob from Pakistan and Mohamed ElSherbini from Egyptqualified for the final of Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Tournament for Men.
In the first semi-final Farhan Mehboob (PAK) beat Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) by 5-11, 11-9, 11-9 and 11-5(3-1). The match lasted for 38 minutes, while in the 2nd Semi Final, World No 74 Mohamed ElShirbini (EGY) defeated Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) 11-9, 13-11, 11-3 in a total of 39 minutes.
Earlier, Pakistan’s only hope, Farhan Mehboob, took berth into the semi-finals along with three others after registering victory in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Men Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Tournament being played here.
Farhan Mehboob recorded a one-sided victory against Ammar Altamimi of Kuwait in the 20-minute play, the score was 11-5, 11-4 and 12-10. Ammar Altamimi of Kuwait did strong resistance only in the last set wherein both stretched to 12-10. He also saved two match points before Farhan Mehboob won the battle.
In the other quarter-finals top seeded Karim Al Fathi of Egypt recorded victory against Asim Khan in 42 minute battle, the score was 11-9, 12-10 and 11-6. Karim Al Fathi only faced little resistance at the hand of Asim in the second set, otherwise he dominated the proceedings and with this victory moved to the semi-finals.
In the third quarter-final Carlos Cornes of Spain defeated Amaad Fareed of Pakistan in a thrilling 3-2 battle lasted for 56 minute with both Carlos Cornes and Amaad Fareed played well and received thundering applauses from the sitting spectators. Amaad Fareed won the first set by 9-11 before leveling the tally at 6-6 and 9-all when Carlos was leading.
After conceding the first set, Carlos came back strongly and won the second and third set by 11-5 and 11-8. This time Amaad Fareed made a struggling come back by winning the fourth set 4-11 and was in a position to win back the match as well but Carlos of Spain played well and did not give him much time to strike back. Carlos Cornes of Spain also got the fifth and decisive set by 11-4 before leveling tally 4-4 when Ammad was leading at 0-4.
In the fourth quarter-final Mohamed ElSherbini (Egypt) beats Tayyab Aslam (Pakistan) in another thrilling match wherein both stretched to five sets battle lasted for almost 91 minute. Mohamed ElSherbini of Egypt lost the first set to Tayyab Aslam of Pakistan at 11-13. Tayyab Aslam played well and saved three set points before taking the set at 11-13.
Mohamed ElSherbini after conceding the first set won the second and third sets by 11-9 and 11-2 but lost the fourth set at 6-11. It was the last and decisive set when against both Mohamed ElSherbini and Tayyab Aslam
Elshirbini wins Serena Hotels Huawei Int’l Squash Tournament struggled hard for a single point but the former won the set by 13-11. This time Mohamed ElSherbini saved three match points against on striking Tayyab Aslam of Pakistan and thus moved to the semi-finals.
Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) in collaboration with Serena Hotel and Huawei organized the Serena Hotel Huawei International Squash Tournament 2019 under the supervision of Professional Squash Association (PSA) from April 6th -10th here. The 5-days long Men’s championship carried a total prize money of $18,000.
Besides Pakistan, world ranking Men & women players from Austria, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iran, Malaysia, Netherlands and Thailand participated in the mega event. Tayyab Aslam, Ahsan Ayaz, Farhan Zaman, Shahjahan Khan, Ammad Fareed, Farhan Mehboob and Amir Atlas Khan will represent the hosts. Serena Hotels decided five years ago to reclaim the legacy of squash in Pakistan under it Sports Diplomacy initiative.
Since the inception of the Serena Hotels- Chief of Air Staff International Squash Championship, there has been an increase in local squash tournaments and championships and increasing numbers of international players are coming to Pakistan to compete. CEO of Serena Hotels Aziz Boolani said Pakistan has a tradition of excellence in many sports but in recent years it has been harder for our players to excel in competitive sports internationally. Up to 25 years ago Pakistani squash players were the best in the world and every person in the country knew their names, some of those great players are with us today.
Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) in collaboration with Pakistan Air Force and Serena Hotels would be organizing a series international squash tournaments (Chief of the Air Staff-Serena Hotels International Squash Tournament for Men (powered by J.) with US$ 30,000/- prize money, Serena Hotel-Condor Pakistan International Squash Tournament for Women with US$ 10,000/- from 01 – 05 Apr, 19 followed by Serena Hotels-Huawei International for Men) with US$ 20,000/- prize money here from 06 – 10 April, 2019.
Besides Pakistan, a large number of international Men & Women squash players from Egypt, Iran, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Spain, Czech Republic, Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Belgium, Germany, Scotland & Zimbabwe have confirmed their participation. With the presence of top world ranking players from various parts of the world the squash enthusiasts would get an opportunity to witness some thrilling squash during their stay in Islamabad.
Serena Hotel Islamabad as part of their Sports Diplomacy program, has been very graciously extending their tremendous sponsorship to Pakistan Squash Federation for the conduct of international Squash events.