PSF-COMBAXX International Preview: Zaman Aiming For Maiden Title

The first of three tournaments taking place on the Tour this week will be the PSF-COMBAXX International Squash Tournament, with the Challenger 10 level men’s event taking place in Islamabad, Pakistan from Wednesday, August 24 to Sunday, August 28.

Egypt’s Khaled Labib will be the tournament’s top seed, with the World No.98 aiming to claim his maiden title on Tour. The only other non-Pakistani inside the top eight seeds will be Iranian No.1 Alireza Shameli, who is looking to secure his first title on foreign soil.

18-year-old Noor Zaman will be the No.2 seed, and the leading Pakistani in the field on home soil. He has just come back from representing his nation at the WSF World junior Championships, and he is proud of putting on his country’s colours once again.

“I feel great that I have bought honour and dignity for my country. I feel super energetic and looking forward to claim the title,” Zaman explained.

“If I play well, I can claim the title and I’m confident about my game and morale for my maiden title.”

Zaman currently sits at World No.110, having been just outside the world’s top 100 for the last few months. He is hoping that some good performances in his next few events will help him push into that top 100 mark for the first time.

“[In] claiming one or two international titles, the journey to world top 100 can be done, and I’m sure it will happen soon,” he said.

The rest of the top eight seeds will also be filled with home hopes aiming to win in their own nation. Nasir Iqbal, Farhan Zaman, Ahsan Ayaz, Muhammad Ashab irfan and Hamza Khan will all be in action.

Elsewhere in the draw, another Iranian in Sepher Etemadpoor will join a further pair of Egyptians in Abdelrahman Nassar and Abdallah Elmasry. The Malaysian trio of Duncan Lee, Wee Ming Hock and Hafiz Zhafri will make up the rest of the 24-strong draw.

The event takes place from Wednesday, August 24 to Sunday, August 28 at the Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad, where Noor Zaman will be the leading Pakistani for the tournament. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: PSF-COMBAXX International Squash Tournament
[2] Noor Zaman (PAK) – [Bye]
[WC] Moeen Ud Din (PAK) v [9/16] Farhan Mehboob (PAK)
[9/16] Wee Ming Hock (MAS) v [WC] Muhammad Ammad (PAK)
[5] Farhan Zaman (PAK) – [Bye]
[7] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) – [Bye]
Naveed Rehman (PAK) v [9/16] Saeed Abdul (PAK)
[9/16] Zeeshan Zeb (PAK) v Hafiz Zhafri (MAS)
[3] Alireza Shameli (IRI) – [Bye]
[4] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) – [Bye]
Abdelrahman Nassar (EGY) v [9/16] Salman Saleem (PAK)
Sepehr Etemadpoor (IRI) v [9/16] Duncan Lee (MAS)
[8] Hamza Khan (PAK) – [Bye]
[6] Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) – [Bye]
[WC] Talha Saeed (PAK) v [9/16] Zahir Shah (PAK)
[9/16] Abdallah Elmasry (EGY) v Waqas Mehboob (PAK)
[1] Khaled Labib (EGY) – [Bye]