KARACHI, Oct 24: Pakistan overwhelmed Sweden 3-0 to progress to the second round of World Team squash championship, according to reports from Melbourne, Australia Wednesday.

Placed in Pool “C” of the 24-team draw, Pakistan had won its opening tie against lowly-ranked Kenyans 3-0 before going down 2-1 to third seed England.

Sixteen teams from six pools would line up for the next round starting from Thursday. Individual results of Pakistan’s matches were not received.

As per the second round draw, Pakistan now face France on Thursday. If they win this tie they run into top seed Australia in the quarterfinals.

In more ties of the second round, Australia meet Sweden, England take Wales and the defending champions Egypt play Denmark.—SADA

AFP adds: South Africa and Malaysia pulled off shock wins to make the last 16.

South Africa, with Glenn Whittaker and Michael Toothill winning vital rubbers, stunned second seeds Wales to top Pool B.

David Evans, last year’s British Open Champion, beat Rodney Durbach in straight games in the top string rubber, but Whittaker, the world No.102, beat the No.13 Alex Gough, 9-0, 9-4, 10-9 to set up a decider.

And Toothill was too strong for Greg Tippings, winning 9-6, 2-9, 9-2, 9-5 to earn his side a match against the Netherlands in the knock-out stage.

Wales still qualify, but face a much stiffer test against third seeds, England.

Malaysia upset the seedings when they beat the Netherlands 3-0 to top Pool E.

Fifth seeds Scotland, had to settle for second best in the same pool after crashing on the opening round to the Netherlands, but they still make the 16.

Australia, the top seeds, were able to rest world No.1 David Palmer in the final round of pool play yet still crushed Norway 3-0 to go through to a meeting with Sweden without dropping a game so far in the championship.

England, two-time winners, left out their No.1 Mark Chaloner, but cruised to a 3-0 win over Kenya to head Pool C.

Chris Walker, this year’s British Open finalist and a member of the 1995 and 1997 winning teams, set his side on the way to victory with a 9-1, 9-1, 9-0 result against Otto Kwach, and Paul Johnson sealed the victory.

Canada, the fourth seeds headed by world No.2 Jonathon Power, also easily reached the last 16.

With a 3-0 win over Finland to win Pool D they earned a tie with Ireland.

Canada, led by world No.2 Jonathon Power, topped Pool D, and defending champions Egypt, weakened by the loss of the recently retired former world No.2 Ahmed Barrada, still managed to top Pool F and line up against Demark.

Results:

Egypt beat France 2-1: Karim Darwish lost Thierry Lincou 9/4 8/10 4/9 5/9, Omar Elborolossy bt Jean-Michel Arcucci 9/5 9/4 9/3, Mohamed Abbas bt Gregory Gaultier 6/9 9/4 9/6 3/9 9/4

South Africa beat Wales: Rodney Durbach lost to David Evans 4/9 5/9 2/9, Glenn Whittaker bt Alex Gough 9/0 9/4 10/9, Mike Toothill bt Greg Tippings 9/6 2/9 9/2 9/5

England beat Kenya 3-0: Chris Walker bt Otta Kwach 9/1 9/1 9/0, Paul Johnson bt Hartaj Bains 9/0 9/0 9/7, Lee Beachill bt C Walia 9/0 9/1 9/0

Canada beat Finland: Jonathon Power bt Olli Tuominen 9/4 9/6 4/9 9/4, Graham Ryding bt Mika Monto 9/2 9/7 9/0, Shahier Razik bt Juha Raumolin 9/5 2/9 9/5 9/5

Malaysia beat Holland 2-1: Ong Beng Hee bt Tommy Berden 6/9 9/4 6/9 9/6 9/8, Kenneth Low bt Lucas Buit 9/6 9/7 9/1, Mohamed Azlan bt Marc Reus 9/0 9/3 9/6.