LAHORE, Aug 22: Pakistan defeated the Philippines 3-0 in the opening match of the Asian Under-16 badminton championship, being held in Hanoi, Vietnam, to qualify for the pre-quarter-finals.

The Pakistan team comprising two players, Arsalan Khan and Irfan Saeed, proved its mettle when Arsalan defeated Jesus 21-16, 21-9 to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead and Irfan doubled it after beating Jones Kenneth 21-16, 21-10.

In the doubles Arsalan and Irfan teamed up to beat Louis Angle and Jones Kenneth 21-13, 21-19.

Pakistan play Iran in the last 16.