Pakistan’s unseeded Farhan Zaman prevailed in the quarter-finals of the ReidBuilt Homes Edmonton Open to secure a surprise semi-final berth in the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event for the second year in a row.

“Farhan won the Canadian crowd over last year at the ReidBuilt Homes tournament with his electrifying style of play,” said event spokesman Alvin Thomas.

The 20-year-old from Peshawar followed his breakthrough first-round win over Mexico’s number four seed Alfredo Avila by overcoming Spanish qualifier Carlos Cornes Ribadas 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 in 39 minutes.

Ranked 64 in the world, Zaman now faces number two seed Karim Ali Fathi for a place in the final of the Tour event in its sixth successive year at the Royal Glenora Club.

Egyptian Ali Fathi, ranked 23 places higher, ended home interest in the championship when he beat Canadian wild-card Graeme Schnell 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 in 49 minutes.

The other semi-final will feature Egypt’s top seed Marwan Elshorbagy and third-seeded New Zealander Martin Knight.

World number 32 El Shorbagy defeated England’s Declan James 11-3, 11-6, 11-1, while Knight had to fight back from a game down to conquer Australian qualifier Scott Arnold 8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.

Semi-final line-up:

[1] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) v [3] Martin Knight (NZL)
[2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) v Farhan Zaman (PAK)

Quarter-final Results:

[1] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Declan James (ENG) 11-3, 11-6, 11-1 (32m) [3] Martin Knight (NZL) bt [Q] Scott Arnold (AUS) 8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (41m)
Farhan Zaman (PAK) bt [Q] Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 (39m)
[2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt [WC] Graeme Schnell (CAN) 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (49m)