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Dubai: A week before his 20th birthday, the Abu Dhabi-born UAE number one Khawaja Adil Maqbool won his 29th senior national title by winning the UAE National Men's PSA Challenger Series No. 1 held at the Lifestyle Health Club, City Centre Hotel and Residence.
Top seed Maqbool, based in Ajman, who is currently a Bachelors student of IT at the Preston University, took on UAE number four Saqbib Rafi in the climax of the men's Super Division event.
The Preston University student Maqbool went on to demolish his opponent in a one-sided match which went on for less than 30 mintues with Maqbool wrapping it up 11-1, 11-1 and 11-2.
"I was really very tired in the semis but today, I rested well and since it was my last match before I am to leave for Pakistan to play in an international championship. I gave it all I had and the score reflects one of my best scores at the national event. I played a very tight game and all my shots worked.
"I am glad to win another final and hopefully, will be able to perform well in Islamabad as well next week," he added.
Maqbool now travels to Islamabad to participate in the $25,000 CAOS Open Championship. He is scheduled to play world number 25 Jonathan Kemp in the pre-quarter finals.
Maqbool, formerly ranked number one is the world in the Under-13, 15 and 17 age groups, plans on taking up squash full time from June onwards after reaching a career-igh world ranking of 75 this month.
"I am going to Egypt in the summer again to train for the British Open and the World Open later this year."
Third place play-off
Asif Khan beat the UAE number two Aamir Khan 3-1 in the third place playoff.
In the Men's Division 1 final, Usman Basarat took a one game lead before 16- year-old ADCO's Ahmad Farooq fought back to level the match with a 11-7 win in the second.
Basarat then regained his composure to take the next two games 11-8, 11-5 to win his maiden Division 1 title.
Gavin Piddington beat Ahmad Dada 3-1 in the third place playoff.
The Preston University student Maqbool went on to demolish his opponent in a one-sided match which went on for less than 30 mintues...
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