Pakistan in high spirits ahead of World Team Squash Championship

Experienced squash player Nasir Iqbal on Tuesday said that Pakistan will give their best in the WSF World Team Squash Championship which will begin in Hong Kong on December 9.

“We have a chance to pull off some impressive performances. We will try to do our level best in the event,” Nasir told Nukta in a brief chat.

Nasir said they will need to beat tough Hong Kong to progress.

“Our game against Hong Kong will be more important. I think it will be decisive. If we beat them then it will help us to progress to the top 16,” Nasir said.

“Our team is well-balanced. I will be joined by Asim Khan, Noor Zaman and young Abdullah Nawaz. Our players are fit and we are hopeful of a good show inshaAllah,” Nasir said.

Nasir said that Pakistan is unlikely to face problems against Peru.

“I think we will be able to beat them easily as they have only one fine player Diego Elias. Hong Kong have three good players and it would be a tough game against them,” Nasir said.

It is pertinent to mention here that it would be interesting to see how Pakistani players will play against Diego Elias, who is a reigning world champion who lifted the global crown in Cairo this year.

Nasir also is in good form and he had recently played final of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Serena Hotels International Squash Championship in Islamabad where he lost to Noor Zaman to finish as runner-up.

In the last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games Nasir, Asim and Noor had won silver for Pakistan.

“Now Abdullah Nawaz is a new partner with us and he is also a very gutsy player,” Nasir said.

Asim Khan is top-ranked, 59, player in Pakistan’s four-member squad. Noor Zaman’s world ranking is 68 while Nasir Iqbal is at the 78th spot and Abdulalh Nawaz, who will now be groomed at the senior level, is ranked 319, as per fresh ranking released by the WSF.

In fine rhythm

About his preparation Nasir said he is in fine rhythm.

“I feel well. I have worked hard and now it’s time for tuning as we are going to switch over to the competition phase,” said Nasir, who also recently won a few events in Australia.

Pakistan team will proceed to Hong Kong on December 6. Fahim Gul will accompany the squad as coach.

As many as 26 teams will flex their muscles in the event which have been clubbed in eight groups.

Defending champions Egypt have been clubbed in Group A with Spain and Japan; Group B contains five-time former champions England, Canada and Nigeria while Group C carries France, Czech Republic and Korea.

Switzerland is in Group D along with eight-time winners Australia and South Africa; Group E features Malaysia, Scotland and Philippines while Colombia, India and Ireland have been placed in Group F.

United States have been put in Group G with Germany, China and Kuwait while Pakistan are in Group H along with Hong Kong, Peru and Italy.

The top two teams from each pool will progress to the round of 16.

Pakistan have won this event six times. Last time they won it in 1993 when they downed Australia 3-0 in the final in Karachi.

Former greats Jansher Khan and Jehangir Khan were part of Pakistan team which also carried Zarak Jahan Khan and Mir Zaman Gul.

This is the first time in the championship history when women’s segment is also set to be conducted concurrently.

The event, which will be conducted at the Hong Football Club, will conclude on December 15.

All teams have four players each except Peru who are set to field only three players and all burden will be on the world champion Diego Elias.