TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA IRISH player Arthur Gaskin perfected his return to the sport as he edged teenaged Pakistani Syed Ali Bukhari in four games to collect his maiden title at the QSF PSA Challenger Squash Tournament.

At the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Saturday, the 27-year-old Dublin player clinched the allqualifier final after losing the opening game by 8-11 11-7 12- 10 11-9 in 71 minutes.

It was a rare occasion that both the players began from the qualifying stage and put up a gutsy show of winning five matches in a row before setting up the final showdown.

A former world No 80, Gaskin, who resumed the competitive action just three weeks ago after losing about two years due to neck and back injuries, needed some time to find the solutions to tackle youthful and fast Pakistani 16 years old player from Lahore.

After both shared the first two games, the third proved quite crucial and saw the lead change hands many a time.

Gaskin slowed down the game and broke the rhythm of Bukhari, before pulling it off at 10.

World 313rd-ranked Bukhari, playing second Challenger event out of Pakistan, launched a lastditch effort in the fourth game. The Irish player, ranked 216th in the world, had the required cool and craft to tame the opponent at the crucial junctures.

“This is a perfect return to the competition for me. I’m delighted with the victory as this will do the good to my rankings as well. Also this win in Qatar will motivate me and hopefully, I will take a greater care of my body in future,” Gaskin commented after the final.

“I’m quite pleased with my display in Qatar. I have played some Challenger events in the past. This is my second Challenger tournament after Kulala Lumpur. I had never moved past the first round,” said Bukhari.

“I tried to play my natural game and I’m proud to reached the final,” added the Pakistani teenager.

Qatar Squash Federation’s Assistant Secretary General Talal al Mawlawi was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and presented the prizes.

FINAL [Q] Arthur Gaskin (Ireland) beat [Q] Syed Ali Bukhari (Pakistan) 8-11 11-7 12-10 11-9 (71 minutes)