Pakistan-born New Zealander Kashif Shuja has taken out the title at the Asset Finance & Easy Loans Bay of Plenty Squash Open in Whakatane, New Zealand.

 

The 27-year-old kiwi number one fought back from 1/2 down to earn a thrilling victory over Australian Jason Mudge in the final to claim the fourth PSA Tour title of his career.

Fourth seed Shuja grabbed the early advantage with a narrow victory in the opening game, before Mudge, the No6 seed, bounced back to grab the next two - to move within one game of his first ever PSA title.

However, the two-times New Zealand national champion picked up the pace in the fourth and fifth, playing some sublime winners in the process, to take out the match 11-9, 10-11 (0-2), 7-11, 11-4, 11-4 in 69 minutes.


RESULTS:        Asset Finance & Easy Loans Bay of Plenty Squash Open, Whakatane, New Zealand

Final:
[4] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt [6] Jason Mudge (AUS)              11-9, 10-11 (0-2), 7-11, 11-4, 11-4 (69m)