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.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 FMC Pakistan International Squash Circuit No1, Lahore, Pakistan
Quarter-finals:
[1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt [Q] Syed Hamzha Shah Bukhari (PAK) 5-11, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-2 (70m)
[3] Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Muhammad Saqib Yousaf (PAK) 11-1, 11-3, 11-13, 11-3 (55m)
Farhan Zaman (PAK) bt [4] Kashif Shuja (NZL) 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5 (64m)
[Q] Aqib Hanif (PAK) bt [Q] Owais Khan (PAK) 9-11, 11-4, 11-2, 13-11 (36m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt [3] Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 (30m)
[Q] Aqib Hanif (PAK) bt Farhan Zaman (PAK) 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 (34m)
Final:
[Q] Aqib Hanif (PAK) bt [1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 13-11 (69m)
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