Indian men and women in semi-finals of Asian Team Squash Championship

There was tension still as Harinder went in next. After his none too assuring show against Japan, the captain needed to show his mettle and that is exactly what he did. Never having beaten Ivan Yuen in the previous five times the two had met, the odds were in the Malaysian's favour. The higher world ranked Ivan, however, has been having a rotten time in this championship and Harinder made the most of his rival's discomfiture with a brilliant display of steady squash. Only in the third game when on 10-6 and match ball did Harinder look nonplussed and gave Ivan the opportunity to catch up and what is more be on game-ball. But the Indian bounced back in time to grab that game on extended points and in the process the match too amidst all round cheers, reports Poncha. India now faces Pakistan in the semi-final.

The women too, after the loss to Malaysia yesterday, needed to do well. However, it was an easy outing against Sri Lanka and they returned as 3-0 winners to finish second in the group. India now faces top seed Hong Kong in the criss-cross semi-final and that on all accounts will be a tough contest.