ISLAMABAD - Defending champions Pakistan Wednesday started their 18th Asian Senior Squash Team Championship campaign on high note as they defeated Sri Lanka and Singapore on the opening day.
Placed in Pool B, Pakistan had a relatively easier pool as they had to face the likes of minnows Sri Lanka and Singapore. Pakistan did managed to pass the first hurdle, but the victory was not as convincing as it was being expected. It also shows Pakistan will face stiff resistance in pursuit of defence of their title and players have to lift the standard of the game, if they want to stand realistic chances of coming home with the title.
In the first match against Sri Lanka, Farhan Zaman started proceedings for Pakistan against M Shamil Mukhtar Wakeel. Farhan won the encounter 3-0, winning the first game 11-2, second game 11-4 and third game 11-2. Tayyab Aslam beat Ravindu Hashintha Laksiri 3-0, winning the encounter 11-5, 11-9, 12-10, while Farhan Mehboob beat Gihan Danushka Suwaris 3-0, 11-5, 12-10, 13-11.
In their second group match, second seeds Pakistan were up against 7th seeded Singapore. In the first match, Farhan Zaman defeated Samuel Kans 3-0, 11-6, 12-10, 14-12 while Farhan Mehboob beat Bryan Koh 3-1, 11-6, 11-2, 8-11, 11-5 and Israr Ahmed beat Pang Ka 3-1, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4.