Chennai: For the first time in the history of World junior squash, a pair of English and Pakistani players will fight it out in the semi-finals, as James Willstrop takes on Khayal Muhammad and Peter Barker crosses swords with Majid Khan in the 12th edition of the event on Saturday.

Pakistan's progress after a long gap was on show as Khayal Muhammad and Majid Khan made short work of their rivals on way to the last four. The stage seemed set for Pakistan to retain its hold after the golden era of Jehangir Khan and Jansher Khan. Only on three earlier occasions has one Pakistani player figured in the semi-finals – 1998, 1994 and 2000. In the quarter-final matches on Saturday, Khayal Muhammad created a minor upset, scalping fifth seeded Eric M Galvez of Mexico 9-6, 9-7, 9-7 in 64 minutes, while Majid Khan (fourth-seed) scored a straight games win in 39 minutes over a fighting Australian, Jhie Gough at 9-4, 9-2, 9-4.

Expectedly, Willstrop the top seed and winner of the British Junior, British Open and European Open, needed only 20 minutes to oust Pakistan's Safeerullah Khan 9-0, 9- 1,9-1,while Barker (second seed) a left handed player, was in his elements in his 9- 2, 9-0, 9-3 victory over unseeded Khalid Atlas.

Going by the performance of the players in earlier rounds, Willistrop and Barker will fight for the title. Willstrop had quelled Barker's challenge in all his three title victories this year.

PTI