ODENSE, Denmark Favourites Egypt clinched the 22nd Mens World Team Squash Championship title on Sunday, but their three-man team was taken the distance before beating third seeds France 2-1.

French number one Gregory Gaultier put the underdogs into an unexpected lead when he recovered from a game down to beat world number one Karim Darwish 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2.

Ramy Ashour, the 2008 world champion, brought Egypt back into contention by defeating Frances third string Renan Lavigne 11-3, 11-4, 11-5.

The decider featured Egypts Amr Shabana and Frenchman Thierry Lincou, both former world champions and world number ones. Shabana dug deep for victory claiming the title with an 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 win after 66 minutes on court.

Pakistan beat South Africa 2-1 in the play-off for fifth place.

Sixth seeded Pakistan produced their best result since finishing as runners-up in 1995.

But it was also a courageous performance by South Africa, the 11th seeds who celebrated their best finish for eight years.

The South Asian country and a former six-time champions got off to a fine start with top notcher Aamir Atlas Khan taking 39 minutes to beat Stephen Coppinger 7-11,11-9,11-6,11-4.

In the next match Yasir Butt was stretched to 55 minutes before prevailing over a fighting Clinton Leeuw 11-5, 11-9, 12-14, 6-11, 11-7 to clinch the decider.

It was the Egypts fourth time in the final since 1999, but only the second time that the now dominant nation in world squash has won the prestigious mens world title.

Defending champions England finished fourth behind Australia who won the tie 2-1. Italy beat seventh seeds Canada in the 7th place play-off.

USA lost to Germany in the play-off for 11th place.