PSF selects 7 players for World Team Squash Championship

KARACHI: Pakistan’s seven-member team will participate in the WSF World Team Squash Championship that is to be held in Hong Kong from December 9-15.

The players of the national squad are Asim Khan, Tayyab Aslam, Noor Zaman, Nasir Iqbal, Hamza Khan, Ashab Irfan, and Abdullah Nawaz while the officials are Amir Nawaz (Manager), Fahim Gul (Coach), and Wasim Umar (Physical Trainer).

It is to be noted that Pakistan is participating in this championship after six years as the country skipped its 2019 and 2023 editions. The reason behind skipping the two editions of this prestigious championship was unavailability of good players and low chances of winning (or even finishing well) the event.

As many as 26 teams will contest the men’s event this year. Egypt are the defending champions while other teams include Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and USA.

Pakistan have been drawn in Pool H along with debutants Peru, Italy, and hosts Hong Kong, China. Reigning champions Egypt are in Pool A with Spain and Japan. The Egyptian squad comprises former world champion and current World No.8 Karim Abdel Gawad, World No.1 Ali Farag, World No.2 Mostafa Asal and World No.5 Mazen Hesham.

Hoping to spoil Egypt’s party will be five-time champions England, who lost out in the final last year and have been drawn into Pool B along with Canada and Nigeria. They, too, have made changes: Alexandria-born brothers Mohamed and Marwan ElShorbagy will continue to lead the team and will be supported by new additions Nathan Lake and Curtis Malik, who have replaced Patrick Rooney and Adrian Waller.