Nasir returns to competitive squash after doping ban

Pakistan’s former number one squash player Nasir Iqbal returns to squash action after completing his 4-year ban imposed by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“I am very excited to resume my international career and am happy that it is happening here in Karachi. I hope that I will regain my position as the number one player of the country,” said Nasir.

He is participating in the five World Squash Federation and Professional Squash Association’s international satellite squash events in Karachi from March 3-16 organized by Racket Sports.

Tournament promoter Usama Khan at a press conference at Sindh Rangers Jahangir Khan Squash Complex here on Tuesday said the first event is to be held from March 3-4, the second from March 6-7, the third from March 9-10, the fourth from March 12-13, and the fifth will be held from March 15-16.

“Each event carries the prize money of $1000 for men and $500 for women. The draw is of 16 places and all top players of the country are participating in it. The winner of each men’s event will get $400 (Rs60,400) and the runner-up is to receive $200 (Rs30,200), while the semi-finalists will get $100 (Rs15,100) and the quarter-finalists $50 (Rs7,550),” said Usama Khan.

Meanwhile, former world number four Maqsood Ahmed said that this is happening for the very first time in Karachi that five back-to-back international events are being held.  “This is a very good opportunity for Pakistani squash players to better their international rankings since they don’t easily afford to go abroad to play international events,” said Maqsood.

Other players who are participating in these events are Ammad Fareed, Zahir Shah, Waqas Mehboob, Ali Bukhari, Noor Zaman, M Farhan, Saeed Abdul, Farhan Hashmi, Waqar Mehboob, Bilal Zakir, Salman Saleem, Abdul Qadir, Haseeb Taj, Zeeshan Zaib, and Faizan Khan.

It is pertinent to mention here that the tournament director is Fahim Gul, who is World Squash Federation’s Assessor from Pakistan.