Bridge team’s losing streak continues

Pakistan sit 14th after the end of the 13th round.

KARACHI:

A poor show by Pakistan’s bridge players continued at the World Bridge Games when they lost to France, New Zealand and Estonia in the tournament underway in Lille, France.

As the 13th round concluded, Pakistan failed to make an impression and went down 25-1 Victory Points (VP) to France with Farrukh Liaqat and Junaid Saad taking on Phillipe Toffier and Dominique Pilon, and Hassan Askkaro and Tehseen Gheewala facing Jerome Raumbaut and Cedric Lorenzini.

Meanwhile, their second game saw them lose 19-11 to New Zealand before Estonia prevailed 25-5 in round 13. Pakistan currently sit 14th in the 15-team tournament with 147 VPs. The US lead the group with a total of 259 VPs, while France are second with 246 and Poland third with 235. The top four teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals.

The women’s team also sunk at the bottom of Group G despite playing out draws against Lebanon in round 11 and China in round 12. However, a loss against Sweden in the last round pushed Pakistan to 14th position with 145 VPs.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2012.