ISLAMABAD - Pakistan team broke top seeds Egypt's winning run to claim their fifth title, but their first since2008, in the World Junior Squash Championships in Poland on Wednesday.

The main final saw Egypt and Pakistan meet for the seventh time in a row, and Pakistan outclassed Egypt 2-1 to claim the title after a gap of eight years. Israr Ahmed and Shoukat Abbas were the heroes of Pakistan who guided their team to triumph in the prestigious event.

In the first match, Pakistan’s top junior player Israr Ahmed was up against number 1 Egyptian player Saadeldin Abouaish. Israr wasted very little time to outclass Abouaish 3-0 in just 39 minutes with the scores of 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 to provide Pakistan edge in the final. But in the second match, Ahsan Ayaz lost the important match against Yousaf Ibrahim 3-1 in 47 minutes. The score was 11-13, 13-11, 5-11, 6-11. In the last and deciding match, Abbas Shoukat came up to the expectations and routed Marwan Tarek 3-0, with the scores of 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 and guided Pakistan to title triumph.

Talking to The Nation, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz said that due to extraordinary work of the federation, coach Amjed Khan and players’ hard work, Pakistan junior team won the prestigious championship. “We attribute victory to Sohail Qaiser, who died a few days back.” “The boys did a fantastic job, as it was not easy to beat Egypt, but they did it. In the individual event, Pakistani players managed to beat three Egyptians and now they managed to beat them in the finals. I am thankful to all those who supported us during hard times. Pakistan squash is back on right track and soon it will regain its lost glory,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and PSF president Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force congratulated the team for their imperious victory.