Hosts Pakistan Retain World Junior Title

Hosts Pakistan, the top seeds, successfully defended their title in front of a joyous home crowd at the Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad when they beat second seeds Egypt 2-1 in today's final of the PIA Men's World Junior Team Championship.

The opening match saw home favourite Khalid Atlas Khan taking on Egypt's newly-crowned world individual champion Ramy Ashour. Khalid, who has not played too well over the past two weeks, put on a much better performance this time - but again the Egyptian wizard showed his ability to come back - from 1-6 in the first game to 9-6, then 2-6 in the second, though not so smoothly, to 9-6.

Khalid was particularly successful in dealing with Ashour's lobs in the third - which got him the game - but it was to no avail as the champion ultimately triumphed 9-6 9-6 2-9 9-7.

Pakistan drew level in the second match when Yasir Butt beat Omar Abu Zid. Perhaps as a result of having been unwell, Abu Zid clearly ran out of steam as the game progressed and, though he earned full marks for fighting, the result was never really in doubt as Butt prevailed 9-4 3-9 9-4 9-1.

The decider featured Farhan Mehboob against Egypt's Mahmoud Adel. Left-hander Mehboob was inspired, and shot through the first game making his opponent look cumbersome. The second game saw some great play from the Pakistani as he opened a 5-0 lead which he soon converted to 9-4. The crowd of both adults and kids were going berserk - and the hero did not let them down, sealing it quickly 9-0 against a despondent Egyptian.

Pakistan's President Musharaf arrived to give away the prizes in an impressive ceremony. He also increased the Pakistan Squash Federation President's two million rupees to the team to five million - and offered any Pakistani world champion a personal one million!!! He spoke strongly in support of sport, and in particular squash, as a social player himself!

England won the bronze medal after beating Kuwait 2-1 in the play-off for third place. Reece Williams of New Zealand won the fair play award for the tournament.