NANCY: Pakistan ‘s impr­essive run at the World Junior Squash Team Cham­pionship came to an end in the semi-final stage after a 2-1 loss to top-seeded Egypt on Saturday.

Third-seeded Pakistan had overwhelmed arch-rivals India in their quarter-final tie on Friday but came unstuck against the Egyptians.

Egypt took the lead in the tie when Kareem al Torkey thrashed Hamza Khan in straight games 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 but Noor Zaman helped Pakistan level the tie when he overcame Mohamed Nasser 11-3, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6.

It meant Pakistan’s hopes rested on Ashab Irfan in the deciding match against Mohamed Zakaria but Ashab lost 6-11, 11-7, 11-13, 8-11.

On Friday, Pakistan eased past India 2-0 with Noor hammering Krishna Mishra 14-12, 11-8, 11-4 before Hamza sealed a last-four berth when he staved off a comeback from Arnaav Sareen to win 11-6, 12-10, 1-11, 6-11, 11-5.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2022