Pakistan's unbeaten run in WSF World Team Squash Championship continues

Pakistan on Tuesday romped to their third successive victory when they downed Italy 3-0 to finish as Group H winners of the WSF World Team Squash Championship being held at the Hong Kong Football Club in Hong Kong, China.

After conquering debutant Peru and hosts Hong Kong with an identical scoreline of 2-1, Pakistan were ruthless against weak Italy, beating them in straight games to finish at the group summit with six points.

Pakistan had already qualified for the round of 16, where they will face Germany, after their initial two wins on the trot.

Pakistan’s top-ranked player Asim Khan defeated Omar Zaki Masoud of Italy 3-0 to take a fine start.

Asim was too difficult for his opponent as he achieved the victory with an enviable ease with the set score of 11-8, 11-4, 11-7. The match lasted for 33 minutes.

Meanwhile Noor Zaman, who recently won the CAS Serena Hotels International Squash Championship in Islamabad, defeated Lorenzo Staurengo also in straight sets with the game score being 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 to stretch Pakistan’s lead.

Nasir Iqbal, Pakistan’s experienced player, then completed the rout with a 3-0 victory over Daniele De Bartolomeo. The set score was 11-2, 11-1, 11-1. The game lasted for just 19 minutes.

Pakistan coach Fahim Gul was extremely happy with the way his charges played in the group stage.

“I am very happy with the way the boys performed,” Fahim told Nukta from Hong Kong.

“We are featuring in the event after seven to eight years. It’s a matter of great honor and we will now fight in the next stage,” said Fahim, also a former squash player.

“No team can be taken for granted as all outfits come to the World Championship fully prepared. We will do our best against whatever will be the oppositions in our next game as it’s an honor to play for the country,” Fahim said.

Fahim said that his charges are in perfect rhythm.

“The morale of the players is high and they are well charged. We will try our level best to deliver in that crucial stage,” Fahim said.

India go down against Colombia

Meanwhile in Group F India lost to Colombia 2-1 to finish the three-team group with two points. India had defeated Ireland 2-1 in their first show on Monday.

Ireland and Colombia were scheduled to face each other in their final league game on Tuesday evening.

Abhay Singh went down to Miguel Rodriguez 3-1 with the set score being 11-4, 11-8, 5-11 and 11-4.

India levelled the score 1-1 when Veer Chotrani defeated Juan Camilo Vargas 3-1 with the game score being 11-8, 11-9, 12-14 and 11-5.

However, it did not deter Colombia as Ronald Palomino did well for them when he whacked Kumar Chand 3-0 to seal a solid win for his side. The set score was 11-5, 11-6, 11-3. The show lasted for just 29 minutes.

As many as 26 teams are featuring in the event and 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 are 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.