Mansoor wins first round match as Pakistan Open begins

ISLAMABAD—The world No. 28 Mansoor Zaman boosted Pakistan’s hopes by winning his first-round match in the main draw of US $ 85,000 Warid-Pakistan Open World Squash Championship at Mushaf Squash Complex on Monday.
Mansoor beat Egyptian qualifier Omer Abdel Aziz in straight games to advance to the next round though two Pakistani qualifiers Majid Khan and Shamsul Islam lost their first round matches. With exception of Mansoor’s victory, overseas players were the winners in the remaining eight matches on the first day of the main draw of 32. Squash legend Jahangir Khan, now the President of World Squash Federation, inaugurated the star-studded championship at a colourful opening ceremony.
Another former star Jansher Khan and Senior Vice President of Pakistan Squash Federation, Air Marshal Inamullah Khan, were also present at the opening of the championship being sponsored by Warid Telecom. Informally talking with reporters, Jahangir Khan said the title could be clinched by any of the 4-5 players such as upcoming Gregory Gaultier of France, James Willstrop of England or Egyptians Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour. The pre-qualifying and qualifying rounds comprised 32 players each with eight players advancing to the main draw of 32. The eight players qualifying for the main draw included five Pakistanis and three Egyptians.
These eight qualifiers were Majid Khan, Yasir Butt, Farhan Mehboob, Shamsul Islam Khan and Safeerullah Khan (Pakistan) and Omer Abdel Aziz, Omer Alborolossy and Omer Mosaad of Egypt.
Besides Mansoor, three other Pakistanis were also taken directly in the main draw. They were Shahid Zaman, Aamir Atlas Khan and Arshad Iqbal Burki who will play their first round matches on Tuesdzy. The championship concludes on November 25.
The World No. 1 Amr Shabana of Egypt, the top seed of the championship, had little trouble in disposing of Pakistani qualifier Majid Khan in straight games. The following were the results of Monday’s matches:— 1. World no. 1 Amr Shabana (Egypt) Beat Majid Khan (Pakistan) 11/7,11/6,11/6 (26 min) 2. World no. 11 Karim Darwesh (Egypt) Beat Shamsul Islam (Pakistan) 7/11 (Retired, 4 min) 3. World no. 29 David Bianchetti (Italy) Beat Amr Mansi (Egypt) 11/2,7/11,11/8,11/5 (47 min).—Agencies