Maximum Reward For Pakistan In Saudi International Qualifiers

Pakistan achieved maximum returns from both their players in the qualifying finals of the Saudi International when Shahid Zaman and Aamir Atlas Khan secured places in the main draw of the PSA Super Series Platinum event which will take place in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, in December.

Khan became one of the youngest players ever to earn a place in a PSA Super Series event when he beat France's Jean-Michel Arcucci 11-10 (5-3), 11-10 (2-0), 8-11, 11-5 in 64 minutes on the second day of the special qualifying event held at St George's Hill in Surrey, England.

The 16-year-old from Peshawar, who is the reigning Asian Junior (U19) champion, is making great strides on the senior international circuit - and reached the first round of last week's World Open in Egypt as a qualifier.

Shahid Zaman, 24, from Quetta, beat England's Bradley Ball 11-8, 11-9, 10-11 (1-3), 1-11, 11-9 in 66 minutes to join Khan in the Saudi main draw.

Meanwhile England claimed four places in Saudi with qualifying finals wins by Daryl Selby, Simon Parke, Alister Walker and Joey Barrington.

Qualifying finals (held at St George's Hill, Surrey, England):
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Ben Garner (ENG) 11-7, 11-6, 11-2 (35m)
Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (28m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 8-11, 11-10 (2-0), 3-11, 11-9, 11-2 (98m)
Simon Parke (ENG) bt Mark Chaloner (ENG) 10-11 (2-4), 11-6, 11-7, 11-4 (60m)
Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Jean-Michel Arcucci (FRA) 11-10 (5-3), 11-10 (2-0), 8-11, 11-5 (64m)
Shahid Zaman (PAK) bt Bradley Ball (ENG) 11-8, 11-9, 10-11 (1-3), 1-11, 11-9 (66m)
Alister Walker (ENG) bt Joseph Kneipp (AUS) 11-3, 11-2, 2-0 ret. (22m)
Joey Barrington (ENG) bt Stacey Ross (ENG) 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-2 (59m)