Wounded Kiwis Pipped by Pakistan

Another close loss for New Zealand at the WSF World Men's Team Squash Championships in France.

The 12th seeds, who were without their number one Campbell Grayson due to injury, were beaten 2-1 by Pakistan.  Grayson has been sidelined by an adductor strain.

In his absence, the remaining three players all stepped up one spot in the team and they gave a good account of themselves but could not quite get over the line against the 14th seeds.  After a disappointing loss against Germany yesterday, Evan Williams stepped up a gear against Farhan Zaman in the opening match, but after a close first game was beaten 13-11, 11-6, 11-4.  However, Martin Knight got the Kiwis back on level terms with an impressive 11-4, 15-13, 12-10 win over Nasir Iqbal, describing the performance as one of the best matches in his life.

That left New Zealand's hopes squarely on the shoulders of up and coming star Paul Coll, who faced a tricky assignment against former top 16 player Farhan Mehboob.  The 21-year-old Kiwi fought hard but was ultimately outclassed by the experienced Mehboob and went down 11-5, 11-7, 11-4.

The injury depleted New Zealand side's next assignment is against 10th seeds Hong Kong in the playoffs for 13th to 16th place.

Result

14. Pakistan def 12. New Zealand 2-1

2. Farhan Zaman def 3. Evan Williams 13-11, 11-6, 11-4
1. Nasir Iqbal lost to 2. Martin Knight 4-11, 13-15, 10-12
3. Farhan Mehboob def 4. Paul Coll 11-5, 11-7, 11-4

Full results: http://worldmensquash-mulhouse2013.fr/en/resultats/