In a dominant performance on Tuesday at the Black Ball Club, Abdullah Nawaz and Anas Ali Shah secured Pakistan’s spot in the quarter-finals of the World Junior Squash Championship men’s team event with a decisive 2-0 victory over Poland.
Abdullah Nawaz provided Pakistan with an ideal start, claiming a 3-1 win against Jan Samborski in the opening rubber to give his team the lead. After the first two sets, the initial game stood evenly poised at 1-1. However, Abdullah staged an impressive comeback, outclassing Samborski with scores of 11-8 and 11-2 in the subsequent sets.
Following this, Anas Ali Shah represented Pakistan in the second game against Franciszek Michniewicz. Despite a notable fight from Michniewicz, Anas ultimately triumphed 3-2. The Pakistani player commenced the game strongly, winning the first set 11-7. Michniewicz, however, responded by clinching the next two sets, putting Poland within reach of leveling the score. Displaying nerves of steel, Anas mounted a sensational comeback by winning the fourth set, forcing the game into a decisive fifth. In the thrilling final set, Anas expertly outmaneuvered Michniewicz with an 11-3 victory, sealing a commanding win for Pakistan with a game to spare. The final rubber, which was scheduled between Muhammad Umair Arif and Mateusz Ptaszek, was not needed.
Pakistan is now scheduled to face England today in the quarter-finals of the men’s team competition at the World Junior Squash Championship.
For those unaware, Pakistan’s journey in the individual competition of the World Junior Squash Championship concluded earlier. Abdullah Nawaz suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Egypt’s Adam Hawal in the Round of 16, marking the end of Pakistan’s individual participation.
