Turning up the pressure

Two well-performing Pakistan players will add an international flavour to the Masterton Trust House Squash Club's open tournament this weekend.

Confirmation has been received that Naseem Khan and Suleman Khan will both contest the event and they are certain to be major contenders for the premier men's title.

Naseem Khan, 28, is currently ranked 284th in the world and is graded A1 at New Zealand level. Suleman Khan has a world ranking of 394 and a New Zealand grading of B1.

They have come to New Zealand to contest three PSA events being played here, the first of which was in Palmerston North last weekend.

Due to their international standings no ranking points will be at stake in any of the matches played by the two Pakistanis but they will be a big drawcard for spectators at the Masterton club's Villa St headquarters.

Neither of them speak English but they will not be disadvantaged as they are well used to marking and scoring being done in the English language, something which is a worldwide trend.

Co-sponsored by WBS and TRC Toyota, the Masterton tourney has attracted excellent entries in terms of both quality and quantity. Talented players like Naseem Khan and Sueleman Khan are not guaranteed to have everything in their favour in the premier grade.

Nationally ranked Scott Galloway is also sure to make his presence felt there, along with former Masterton player Willie Bicknell, a longtime Wellington representative and now manager of their senior development squad, as well as Tawa's James Smith and Justin Brown of Palmerston North.

Carrying the Wairarapa flag will be experienced duo Matt Spooner and Malcolm Wyeth, and they too are quite capable of achieving good results in the best of company.