20th ‘Big-Time’ World Men’s Team Squash C’ship
Pakistan marches past Holland, into last-8 stage
By M Bilal

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan swept past the Netherlands 3-0 to move in to the quarter-finals of 20th ‘Big-Time’ World Men’s Team Squash Championship at Mushaf Squash Complex on Sunday.
In the pre-quarter final tie against the Netherlands, left-hander Mansoor Zaman took a mere 35 minutes to put down Dylon Bennet 9-5, 9-6, 9-1 while his teammate Shahid Zaman was stretched to five games before disposing of Laurens Jan Anjema 9-6, 2-9, 0-9, 9-4, 9-5 in 53 minutes.
Lastly, another left-hander Farhan Mehboob exited Tom Hoevenaars 9-0, 9-3 before the latter gave up after 12 minutes.
Reaching the last-8 stage for the first time since 1997, the 7th seed Pakistan will now clash against the tournament’s seed No. 3 France at 4.00 p.m. on Monday.
In the three other quarter-finals the same day , the top seeds England will play against No. 8 seeds Wales (4.00 p.m.), the No. 4 seeds Australia will be pitted against the tournament no. 5 Canada (12.00 p.m.) and the no.2 ranke d team Egypt will face the pre-tournament no. 6 team Malaysia (12.00 p.m.).
The top four seeds of the tournament — England, Egypt, France and Australia respectively — were given bye each in the pre-quarter final stage after they had completed their preliminary round matches.
In three other pre-quarter matches, actually taking place besides that of Pakistan-Holland tie, Wales edged out Germany 2-1, Canada thumped India 3-0 and and Malaysia downed South Africa 2-1.
“We have a fair chance against France”, insisted Pakistan coach Jamshed Gul. “My boys are fit and raring to go. They have been performing well in this tournament and are fully fit thus far”.
He said Shahid Zaman, now the World No. 16, will take on World No. 1 Thiery Lincou while world no. 23 Mansoor Zaman will come across world no. 12 Galtiers. Left-hander Farhan Mehboob will play Frenchman Levigny.
“I am not unduly worried about the higher rankings of the French playuers. I think the pressure will be on the French players as we will have the home court and home crowd advantage”, he said.
The semi-finals of the tournament are scheduled for Tuesday and the final for Wednesday.
The major sponsors of the tournament are the manufacturers of “Big-Time” calling cards.
Pakistan had a virtual monopoly on the tournament in heady of two JKs, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, but have not won the title since 1993.