Number 2 seed wins epic all-Egyptian final in Pakistan
By SEAN REUTHE
Number two seed Mohamed Abouelghar captured the CAS International Squash Championship, PSA M25 title in Pakistan after coming through a five game epic with fellow Egyptian Omar Abdel Meguid in the final.
Abouelghar had downed home favourite Nasir Iqbal in the semi-final while Meguid dispatched compatriot Karim Ali Fathi in four to earn his spot in the final where he was attempting to retain the title he won last year.
Meguid was the victor in the first game after dominating the ‘T’ throughout to secure an 11-7 triumph but Abouelghar battled back to level the encounter up.
The World No.36 took the lead for the first time in game three after a number of demanding rallies went in the 22-year-old’s favour as he recorded a 13-11 win on the tie-break but Meguid clawed back the fourth to send the match into a fifth game.
A number of nervy rallies played out in front of the gathered spectators with Abouelghar edging it to secure a 7-11, 11-9, 13-11, 6-11, 11-9 victory to claim his fifth PSA World Tour title. The champion told his followers on Facebook: “So happy to win the biggest title of my career so far. A big thank you to the Pakistan Squash Federation for all their efforts.
“I am lucky to have the right people around me, Omar Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Mohamed Fareed, and Ashraf Abouelghar. Happy to have Mohamed Fareed here with me. He’s been always there for me and thanks to my sponsor Salming Squash for all their support.”
Result – CAS International Squash Championship 2015, Musharaf Squash Complex, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Final:
[2] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt [1] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 3-2: 7-11, 11-9, 13-11, 6-11, 11-9 (78 mins)