24-Dec-2011
The News
KARACHI: Pakistan’s top squash player Aamir Atlas Khan has vowed to clinch PSA Tour event title in Lahore, where he is seeded top.
“I am looking forward to perform well in the tournament and clinch the title as I am the top ranked player. I am in good form and will do my best to win the event,” Aamir Atlas told PPI. The PSA $10,000 event’s main round will begin on December 25. Aamir will play his first match against unseeded player Hamzah Bokhari.
Aamir might face toughest resistance in the tournament from his younger brother Danish Atlas, who is seeded second in the event. Aamir is top ranked Pakistani player in the international ratings at 26th. Danish is ranked 87th. Pakistan No 2 and World No 58 Farhan Mehboob is not competing in the event. Lahore-based Yasir Butt, ranked 72nd in the world circuit, is not in the country and will not feature in the event.
Aamir is presently serving a two-year ban imposed on him by Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF). PSF banned three Pakistani players, Aamir Atlas, Yasir Butt and Waqar Mehboob, after Pakistan’s dismal show in World Team Championship in Germany earlier this year.
Pakistan secured the 22nd spot in the 32-nation event—the worst ever showing from Pakistan in the history of the prestigious event. However, Aamir said that the ban will not be of any consequence for him because it is not a local event and PSF cannot influence Professional Squash Association. The event’s qualifying round started on Friday. It also features Austrian Aqeel Rehman of Pakistan origin. Aqeel is ranked 119th in the international circuit. |
