ISLAMABAD - Syed Ali Mujtaba Bokhari kept Pakistan's hopes alive of winning the World Junior Individual Championship, as he reach the semifinals of the prestigious event.
Ali registered remarkable victory against Egyptian Yousaf Soliman 3-2 in 79 minutes in the quarterfinals played in Namibia late Wednesday night. Tayyab Aslam lost the quarterfinal against another Egyptian Omar El-Atmas 3-2 in 110 minutes. This result of Ali clearly indicates how much talent this young lad possesses and he is the future of Pakistan squash, but Ali was always given a rough treatment by the Punjab Squash Association (PSA), which always discourages him instead of taking benefit from his class and caliber.
It was PSF SVP Air Vice Marshal (r) Syed Razi Nawab, who took bold stance and allowed Ali to play at Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex, otherwise, he had long decided to quit Pakistan and reside in the US.
 Ali won the first game 11-7, but lost the next two games in a row 9-11 and 6-11. When it mattered the most, Ali rose and entered the court fully focused and composed. The fourth game was played on a very high tempo as both the lads fought for each and every point before Ali took the game 11-9 to square things at 2-2.
Ali totally dominated in the fifth and deciding game and clinched it 11-7, thus set up semifinal clash with Egyptian Omar El-Atmas, while top seed Diego Elias of Peru will take on Indian Kush Kumar in the second semifinal.
In the second quarterfinal, Tayyab Aslam lost to Egyptian Omar El-Atmas. Tayyab deserved to win the encounter but he was very unlucky. Hamstring injury badly hampered his ambitions, which cost him dearly. Tayyab won the first game 11-7 and second 14-12. At that stage, Tayyab started feeling severe pain as his muscle was pulled. Atmas took full advantage of the situation and won the third game 11-7 and fourth game 11-5 and fifth 11-9.
The time is ripe the PSF must take good care of these brilliant young lads, who are future of Pakistan squash.