Domestic hopes for success in the PIA Men's World Junior Championship in the Pakistan city of Islamabad will rest on the shoulders of Yasir Butt, a 16-year-old from Lahore who faces Egypt's Ramy Ashour in Sunday's unexpected final of the event at the new Mushaf Squash Complex.

Both players are seeded in the 5/8 group and both earned their places in the climax of this event which has attracted the world's top juniors from 22 countries after straight games semi-final triumphs - Butt upsetting his second-seeded compatriot Khalid Atlas Khan 9-1 9-2 9-3 in 30 minutes, and Ashour ending the giant-killing run of Khalid's unseeded younger brother Aamir Atlas Khan 9-2 9-5 9-6 in 42 minutes.

A packed house and distinguished guests were privileged to watch two of the most talented young players in junior squash today battle out the opening semi-final. Amir Atlas Khan, aged just 14, has years ahead - and who would put money on his not winning this title in a couple of years time in New Zealand? But he was just not good enough for the incredibly-talented 16-year-old Egyptian, who put on another scintillating performance.

Ashour, from Cairo, has everything available to him in his game and when behind seemed simply able to step up a gear, forcing errors from his opponent and playing even better winning shots of every variety and pace. That was how it went over three well-fought games. However hard Amir tried - and he battled valiantly through to the bitter end - Ashour's win always seemed assured.
The second semi-final was not nearly so entertaining. Pakistan No1 Khalid Atlas Khan was simply destroyed by his team-mate Yasir Butt in a little over 30 minutes. Khalid has not looked at all convincing in Islamabad, and it must be a worry for the home team as the World Team Championships approach.

Butt, on the other hand, is in terrific form. He is tall, very lithe and plays a cool and controlled game. The further on the game went, the more confident he became and the more shots he exhibited. Butt was a class ahead on the night and thoroughly deserved his quick win.

Sunday's sell-out Islamabad crowd is assured of a sensational climax between two very in-form players.

Semi-finals:
[5/8] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt Amir Atlas Khan (PAK) 9-2, 9-5, 9-6 (42m)
[5/8] Yasir Butt (PAK) bt [2] Khalid Atlas Khan (PAK) 9-1, 9-2, 9-3 (30m)