Pakistan perfect in WSF World Teams Championship group stage

Pakistan won their third and final group stage match in the World Squash Federation (WSF) World Teams Championship on Tuesday against Italy, three games to zero, confirming their place in the knockout rounds. 

Pakistan will head into the knockout rounds hoping to win their first title since 1993.

PAKISTAN VS ITALY

Asim Khan beat Omar Zaki Masoud in three straight sets, ending his rut of poor performances against Peru and Hong Kong. Khan won 11-8, 11-4, and 11-7. Noor Zaman won in three straight sets as well, beating Lorenzo Staurengo 11-4, 11-7, and 11-5. Nasir Iqbal had an even more impressive performance than his two compatriots, winning in three straight sets, 11-2, 11-1, and 11-1.

PAKISTAN VS PERU

Pakistan played their first match against Peru, beating them in the best of three after Asim Khan lost the first match to Diego Elias, three sets to nil. It was a dominant performance from Peru’s Elia’s, as he won 11-4, 11-2, and 11-3, in a match that only spanned 21 minutes. But Pakistan’s Norr Zaman and Nasir Iqbal came to the rescue, winning both their respective matches. Zaman won the first two sets of his match in dominant fashion, 11-1 and 11-4. Then Rafael Galvez began to fight back, taking the next two sets 15-13 and 13-11. The fifth and final set was close again, but Zaman prevailed, winning 13-11. Iqbal had an easier time with his match, winning in three straight dominant sets, 11-3, 11-4, and 11-2. 

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PAKISTAN VS HONG KONG

Asim Khan had a much better performances against Alex Lau, but still fell short, losing three sets to two in the 64 minute clash. He lost the first 5-11, before winning the second 11-7. The next two sets would be closely contested, as Khan lost the first 9-11, but one the second 13-11. Unfortunately for Pakistan, Lau turned up the heat in the final set, winning comfortably, 4-11. 

Fortunately for Pakistan, Zaman and Iqbal saved the team again. Zaman beat henry Leung three sets to two. Zaman lost the first 7-11, but one the second 11-8. He struggled once again in the third, losing 5-11. However, he took complete control fo the final two sets, winning 11-4 and 11-6. Iqbal won his match in similar fashion to his earlier outing agaisnt Peru, winning in three straight sets. He won all three, 11-5, putting Pakistan on the top of Group H.

GROUP STANDINGS

Pakistan are at the top of Group H after winning all three of their matches against Hong Kong, Peru, and Italy giving them six points. Hong Kong and Peru are tied with two points each, having only won one match each. Italy is at the bottom of the table, with zero points from zero wins out of their three matches. 

Pakistan has confirmed their place in the knockout rounds. Hong Kong are currently one game up against Peru in a match that will decide who will take second place in the group. 

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