Farhan clinches CAS international Squash Championship title

PESHAWAR - Sensational Farhan Zaman tore apart seasoned player Danish Atlas Khan 3-1 in exactly one hour to lift the coveted CAS International Squash Championship 2013 trophy in the final played here at Hashim Khan Squash Complex, Peshawar Saturday.
Farhan started the final as underdog as he had never beaten Danish in their 25 previous meetings. Farhan started the match against all the odds and played some brilliant strokes and drop shots in the first game. He was well set to take the first game as he had a comfortable 7-2 lead, but like the semifinals, Farhan committed too many mistakes, which cost him dearly as he lost the first game 10/12 in 21 minutes. It was like an eye-opener for Farhan, who never looked back and played with lot of authority and controlled the game very well. He took a 3-0 lead in the second game, but once again lapse of concentration allowed Danish to level the game at 3-3, then 4-4. Farhan was not in a mood to allow Danish same freedom and liberty anymore as he won next 7 points in a row to take the game 11/4 in only 8 minutes, thus leveling the match at 1-1.
Like the second game, Farhan took a commanding 7-2 lead in the third game and was looking all set to wrap up the game, but Danish somehow despite looking out of sorts and tired, managed to take 4 points in a row before Farhan wrapped up the game 11-6 in 12 minutes to take a decisive 2-1 lead in the final.
The fifth game was a real treat to watch for the jam-packed arena as crowd thoroughly enjoyed the battle between Fahan and Danish as both players fought for each and every point in the fourth game. Danish take a 2-0 lead before Farhan made it 2-2. Both players were not ready to hand over the initiative to other and matched each other point to point till 8-8. That was the turning point of the match, as Farhan changed gears and won next three points in row to take the game 11/8, thus winning the final, his second consecutive title on the trot, after convincingly winning the DG Rangers title last week.
While talking to The Nation newly crowned champion Farhan expressed his utter pleasure and delight over beating archrival Danish Atlas after 25 failed attempts. He said it was probably my biggest ever victory as I had never beaten Danish previously. “I had really worked hard on removing my flaws and I must give credit to head coach Jamshed Gul Khan, Pakistan Air Force, senior vice president Air Vice Marshal Syed Razi Nawab and my personal coach and trainer Arbab Zubair and Fakar Zaman, who helped me a lot in overcoming minor mistakes and helped me in taking two of the major PSA titles, which would certainly boost my international rankings.”
He requested the PSF to help him in taking part in maximum international events. “It is my promise in a year or two, I would break in to world's top 20 and win laurels for the country at international stage. I am leaving to US today to participate in PSA events and I would also get intensive training there.”
Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Syed Ather Hussain Bukhari was the chief guest on the occasion, while PSF senior vice president Air Vice Marshal Syed Razi Nawab, former world squash champion Qamar Zaman, head coach Jamshed Gul Khan, head of referees Mahboob Khan, secretary Aamir Nawaz along with other dignitaries and squash lovers were also present on the occasion. Senior referee Asif Khan supervised the final, while Imran and Asim were the side referees. Farhan was awarded championship trophy and cash prize, while Danish received runners up trophy and cash prize from the chief guest.