India had double delight at the 18th Asian Squash Team Championships in Chinese Taipei as both the teams secured their places in the semi-finals of this continental event on Friday. While the men’s team toppled the higher seeded Malaysia 2-0 in the quarter-finals, the women thrashed Sri Lanka 3-0 in their last assignment of Pool B.
India vs Pakistan up next in the men’s section
Kush Kumar was the first one of the Indian boys to take the court and he put up an impressive display. The 19-year-old gave just the start that India needed as he beat Mohammad Syafiq Bin Mohd Kamal 11-4, 11-7, 11-4.
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The Indian captain Harinderpal Sandhu then stepped up to get his first ever victory over Ivan Yuen after five consecutive defeats. The World No. 67 was on song for most of the match and stopped a late charge from the Malaysian to register an 11-9, 11-6, 13-11 win.
India will now take on the second seeds Pakistan for a place in the final.
India vs Hong Kong in women’s section
On the women’s side, India had a hassle-free day after their narrow defeat to Malaysia on Thursday. Joshna Chinappa prevailed 11-3, 11-3, 11-7 over Mihiliya Methsarani Kalahe Arachchige while Dipika Pallikal Karthik emerged an 11-2, 11-2, 11-7 winner over Fathima Fathoum Zelikha Naushard Issadeen.
In the final match of the contest, the 21-year-old Sachika Ingale got the better of Hettiachchi Kasuni Malkini Gunawardane 11-7, 11-6, 11-5. The Indian girls have a tough task up next as they face the top seeds Hong Kong.
