Malaysia stun India in World Team Squash

Bengaluru, November 29: India lost to Malaysia in the second round of World Team Squash Championship qualifiers in France.

Twenty four countries are competing in the 25th edition of the World Squash Federation (WSF)-sanctioned tournament being held at Marseille's glass courts.

Saurav Ghosal was first on court for India. The world No.21 took on Nafiizwan Adnan, a lower-ranked Malaysian, to whom he had never before lost.
But it was Adnan who called the shots as he won 11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9 in a 72-minute encounter.

India restored parity when Mahesh Mangaonkar recovered from a game down to beat 21-year-old Mohd Syafiq Kamal 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 to level the tie.
Teenager Eain Yow Ng, who, like Kamal, was making his maiden appearance in the World Championship, then faced India's experienced Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu.
The 28-year-old from Chennai was competing for the fourth time in the World Championship.

It was the pair's first meeting, but experience mattered little as 19-year-old Ng was unfazed - and battled back despite trailing 1-2 to overcome Sandhu 11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5 in the match which lasted 62 minutes.

After qualifying action in eight pools, the top two teams in each pool will progress to the last 16 knockout stage of the WSF tournament which concludes on December 3.

RESULT

Malaysia bt India 2-1

Nafiizwan Adnan bt Saurav Ghosal 11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9 (72m)
Mohd Syafiq Kamal lost to Mahesh Mangaonkar 11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 5-11 (53m)
Eain Yow Ng bt Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu 11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5 (62m)