Ashab Irfan beats fellow Pakistani Asim Khan to win Mile High 360 Classic title

Ashab Irfan Clinches Mile High 360 Classic Title

Ashab claims $15,000 championship with final score of 15-13, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, and 11-9

KARACHI: In a thrilling showdown at the Mile High 360 Classic squash tournament in Denver, United States, Pakistan's Ashab Irfan emerged victorious against fellow countryman Asim Khan. The match, lasting 112 intense minutes, concluded with a hard-fought final score of 15-13, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, and 11-9, earning Ashab a championship prize of $15,000.

The final was a gripping contest, with each game highlighting the players' skill and tenacity. Ashab started strong, narrowly winning the first game 15-13 after several intense rallies. However, Asim responded effectively in the second game, leveraging strategic adjustments to level the score with an 11-8 victory.

Asim maintained his momentum, claiming the third game 11-9, putting Ashab on the back foot. Undeterred, Ashab regrouped and fought back in the fourth game, winning 11-8 to set the stage for a decisive fifth game. In a nail-biting finale, Ashab edged out Asim 11-9, securing the championship title.

Both players had displayed impressive performances leading up to the final. Asim reached the finals by defeating Noor Zaman, while Ashab advanced with a commanding 3-0 victory over England’s third-seeded Tom Walsh.

Earlier in the tournament, Asim had a challenging quarter-final against second-seed Cesar Salazar of Mexico. After taking a 2-1 lead, Salazar retired in the fourth game, allowing Khan to progress with a score of 12-10, 2-11, 11-7, and 11-0. Asim also triumphed over India's Veer Chotrani and showcased a strong performance against Dillon Huang of the United States.

With this victory, Ashab Irfan continues to shine on the squash circuit, demonstrating resilience and skill throughout the tournament.