Giant-Killer Hanif Prevails In Pakistan by Howard Harding
25 March 2012-
Qualifier Aqib Hanif marked his first appearance in a PSA World Tour
final by celebrating his maiden title at the FMC Pakistan International
Squash Circuit No1 in Lahore.
The 25-year-old from Lahore did so in perfect style - by upsetting top
seed Aamir Atlas Khan, a fellow Pakistani ranked almost 150 places
higher, in a dramatic five-game marathon in the climax of the PSA World
Tour Challenger 10 event on his home courts at the Punjab Squash
Complex.
It was after coming through two rounds of qualifying that Hanif, ranked
176 in the world, began his giant-killing rampage in only his second
Tour appearance of the year - first beating second seed Farhan Zaman,
then third seed Danish Atlas Khan, before claiming the biggest scalp in
the final by overcoming the top seed 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 13-11 in
69 minutes.
"It was a good match which I fought with best of my abilities and
skills and I am glad to win the first title of my career," said Hanif.
"I did not lose hope after Aamir took the first and fourth games, and
remained focused - my only aim was to go for a victory and to get the
title, which eventually happened."
Shahid Salim, Head of FMC Asia was the chief guest and gave away the
prizes. Sohail Khan, Vice President of the Punjab Squash Association,
and Tariq Farooq Rana, Secretary of the Association, were also present.