Pakistan’s squash gamers Asim Khan (proper) and Ashab Irfan are seen on this collage. —X/@asimkhansquash/Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s prime squash gamers Asim Khan and Ashab Irfan progressed to the quarterfinals of the Johns Creek Open 2025, a $12,000 PSA Challenger occasion, after recording victories within the second spherical on Thursday.
High seed Asim overcame Egypt’s Kareem Badawi 11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8 in 45 minutes. Asim dominated the opening two video games with exact size and managed rallies earlier than Badawi fought again to take the third. The Pakistani regrouped within the fourth to safe his place within the final eight.
Second seed Ashab wanted simply 20 minutes to dismiss america’ Christopher Gordon in straight video games, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4. Ashab’s aggressive shot-making and fast tempo stored the American on the defensive all through.
Nonetheless, it was the top of the highway for seventh seed Ahsan Ayaz, who was edged out in a five-game thriller towards Egypt’s Omar ElKattan. After taking the primary recreation 11-4, Ahsan misplaced the second on a tiebreak 12-10 and the third 11-9.
He levelled the match by profitable the fourth 11-8, however ElKattan held agency within the decider to win 11-8 after 58 minutes of high-intensity play.
Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim additionally exited within the spherical of 16, shedding to 3rd seed Diego Gobbi of Brazil Sept. 11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 in 47 minutes.
Huzaifa began strongly by taking the opening recreation however couldn’t match Gobbi’s tempo and consistency within the remaining video games.
