Pakistan retained the men’s title and Malaysia reclaimed the women’s title in the Buler Asian Team Squash Championships, the 17th staging of the region’s most prestigious biennial event which was held at the Hong Kong Squash Centre in Hong Kong China.
After missing out in 2010 and 2012, Malaysia lived up to their top billing in the women’s championship by defeating hostsHong Kong 2/0 to secure the trophy for the eighth time.
Led by Nicol David and Low Wee Wern, ranked 1 and 7, respectively, in the world, Malaysia did not drop a match throughout the event – reaching the final after ousting second seeds India in the semi-finals.
Malaysia claimed an unexpected place in the men’s final after upsetting top seeds India in the semi-finals.
Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan gave the third seeds the lead in the final after surviving a five-game battle with Farhan Zaman– but No2 seeds Pakistan drew level when Nasir Iqbal beat experienced Malaysian number one Ong Beng Hee 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 before Farhan Mehboob sealed the title for the third time in a row with an 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 victory overIvan Yuen.
Buler Asian Team Squash Championships, Hong Kong China
Men’s final:
[2] PAKISTAN bt [3] MALAYSIA 2/1
Farhan Zaman lost to Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan 12-10, 3-11, 11-9, 6-11, 8-11
Nasir Iqbal bt Ong Beng Hee 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7
Farhan Mehboob bt Ivan Yuen 11-7, 11-5, 11-63rd place: INDIA & KUWAIT; 5th HONG KONG CHINA; 6th JAPAN; 7th SINGAPORE; 8th IRAN; 9th REPUBLIC OF KOREA; 10th IRAQ; 11th SRI LANKA; 12th QATAR; 13th CHINESE TAIPEI; 14th MACAU; 15th PHILIPPINES; 16th CHINA
Women’s final:
[1] MALAYSIA bt [3] HONG KONG CHINA 2/0
Low Wee Wern bt Liu Tsz-Ling 11-5, 11-2, 11-7
Nicol David bt Joey Chan 11-3, 11-2, 7-11, 11-63rd place: INDIA & JAPAN; 5th REPUBLIC OF KOREA; 6th PAKISTAN; 7th SINGAPORE; 8th CHINA; 9th SRI LANKA; 10th IRAN
