Pakistan Open called off

Squash officials have been forced to cancel the prestigious Pakistan Open - the third tournament to be called off in the wake of last month's terror attacks on America.

England star Peter Marshall, the first non-Pakistani to win the event, was due to defend his title in Lahore next month but organisers have decided the region is too volatile.

M Sajid Waheed, secretary of the Pakistan Squash Federation, said today: "The security conditions have deteriorated in the region. All the arrangements were in hand to hold the tournament but, with the prevailing conditions, it is impossible for us to conduct the event this year." The first event to be cancelled was the US Open in Boston, which was due to start on 11 September, the day of the atrocities in New York and Washington.

A tournament in Qatar went ahead last week, with England's Peter Nicol beating Aussie David Palmer in the final.

Next week's men's event in Australia, part of the Melbourne Festival of Squash, has also been cancelled due to sponsorship problems.

Three other events there will go ahead, with England's attempt to reclaim the men's World Team Championships one of the highlights.