Pakistan squash on right track, says UAE star Maqbool

UAE's number one squash player Adil Maqbool has set his sights on breaking into the world's top 50 within the next two years.

The 26-year-old was in a bullish mood after winning the UAE Open Squash Championship to remain unbeaten for 10 years in the Emirates.

Significantly, it was a comeback of sorts for the Abu Dhabi-born Pakistani who was aggrieved after being slapped a one-year ban from the sport for an off-court skirmish by the UAE Squash Racquets Association.

“I’m extremely proud of my achievement as I come from a non-squash playing family. I began my squash journey here in the UAE and now completing 10 years of being unbeaten is something I had never even thought of,” he said.

Maqbool defeated Aamir Khan 4-1 in a final which lasted 38 minutes 11-7 14-12 3-11 11-5 after beating the UAE Under-19 number one player Sandeep Ramachandran 3-1 in the semifinals.

"I'm quite relieved to be honest because I wasn't allowed to play in the national circuit for almost a year. I picked up from where I left off. I beat Aamir in the last tournament before I got banned," said Maqbool who continued to play on the international circuit despite the UAE ban.

Nevertheless, he produced one of his best performances since joining the PSA in 2003, including qualifying for a $50,000 event in Egypt and making six PSA Tour quarter-finals.

However, a groin injury in March sidelined him for about three months and his rankings too suffered dropping to 105.

"I have been training very hard the last two months with my father and coach, Maqbool Khawaja," said Adil who is part of the main draw at the $25,000 PSA-sanctioned tournament which begins in Islamabad, Pakistan on October 20.

"I hope I can play another four years. I think I have got one or two of my good years ahead of me. My immediate aim is to get back to top 50 and hopefully break top 40s at some point in my career," said whose best ranking for 66 in 2008 and has been in the top 100 in the world for 50 months at one stage in his career.

Maqbool also hopes this tournament would be the beginning of the return of international sport to Pakistan.

Pakistan has not been able to stage major international sports events because of security concerns following the attacks on the Sri Lanka cricket team in 2009.

Maqbool also lauded the Pakistan Squash Federation for their efforts to raise the standards with junior programme despite the international isolation.

"I think Pakistan squash seems to be on right track. We've got international events coming to Pakistan. Not having international events last five or six years affected a lot," said Maqbool when asked whether Pakistan's dominance is squash was on the decline.

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