World Juniors Tournament qualifiers: Pakistan continue unbeaten run

Under-14 team edges closer to sealing place in finals.

KARACHI: Pakistan continued their unbeaten run at the World Juniors Tournament qualifiers, defeating Syria 2-1 in Kuching, Malaysia to edge closer to a place in the finals that will take place in Czech Republic in August.

The under-14 squad opened the tie with a win as Muzammil Murtaza outplayed Rabee Saleem 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the first rubber. However, under-14 Asian number one Nofil Kaleem suffered a blip in form and lost his first match of the tournament to Mohamad Hazem Naw 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second rubber as Syria levelled the tie 1-1.

The tie was then sealed when Muzammil and partner Abdaal Haider won the doubles match against Naw and Karim Chakil Al Basateneh 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.

Competing in the Asia-Oceania Zone pre-qualifiers, Pakistan began their Group C campaign with a 3-0 win over Turkmenistan followed by a triumph over Sri Lanka with the same scoreline.

Pakistan will now play against Singapore today in a bid to qualify for the final of the qualifying group stage.

The top two teams from Asia-Oceania Zone will compete in the finals.

The qualifiers are taking place in five continents simultaneously.

Meanwhile, in the girls under-16 event, Pakistan will take on Jordan today, aiming to progress into the knockout stage of the qualifiers. They have won two ties and lost one so far.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2013.