Indian national squash champion Harinder Pal Sandhu reaches quarters in New Zealand

Harinder Pal Sandhu

India’s national champion Harinder Pal Sandhu came back from two games arrears to beat Abdulla Al Tamimi of Qatar. In the process, he earned a quarterfinal berth in the $15,000 NZ International squash, a PSA event in Palmerston North in New Zealand.

The sixth-seeded Indian came back from being two sets down to winning the match 9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 14-12.

Despite losing the first set 9-11 and going down 10-12 in the second, the 26-year old did not panic. He was commanding in the next two sets winning 11-5 and 11-4 to level the match at 2 sets apiece.

In the decider, Tamimi had a match point to seal the tie, but Harinder saved it brilliantly and made the most of a match point at 13-12.

After overcoming this marathon match, Harinder faces a tough challenge against second seed and local favourite Campbell Grayson on Friday.