ISLAMABAD, Dec 14: Pakistan bounced back from the loss of the first singles to dump England 2-1 and grab their first title triumph in 20 years in the World Junior squash championship on Saturday afternoon in the Indian city, Chennai.

James Willstrop, the top seed of the championship, thumped Khayal Muhammad 3-0 in the opening clash of the three-match final to apparently put England on the road to victory.

But then Pakistan’s Khalid Atlas and Majid Khan scored victories in the remaining two matches to turn the tide and bag the World Juniors team title for the first time since Pakistan had beaten Australia at Singapore in 1982.

Khalid thrashed John Harford to bring the teams at par at 1-1. In a charged atmosphere at the championship venue in the Southern Indian Metropolis, Majid Khan overcame Peter Barker by the same margin (3-0) to land the prestigious title for Pakistan.

The victory in the team event came as a sweet revenge for the Pakistan team since both their semifinalists in the individual competitions — Khayal Muhammad and Majid Khan— had lost to English rivals Willstrop and Barker respectively earlier this week.

Khayal again lost to Willstrop but Majid Khan, seed no.3 in world junior rankings, had the better of Peter Barker this time.

Earlier in the semi finals on Friday, Pakistan ousted Australia and England dumped Egypt by the identical margins of 2-1.

Results (Semifinals): Pakistan beat Australia by 2-1 Khayal Muhammad bt J. Gough 3-0, Safeerullah Khan lost to Luke Margan 2-3, Majid Khan Beat Aaron Frankcomb 3-0.

England beat Egypt by 2-1: James Willstrop Beat Moustafa Essam 3-0; Ashley Flathers beats Sherif Kamal 3-2, Peter Barker Lost to Ahmed 3-2.

Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, President PSF and Air Vice Marshal Saleem A. Nawaz, Senior Vice-President PSF has sent heartiest message of felicitations to all the team members and the chief coach Rehmat Khan on this great achievement.

In a message they said that the whole nation is proud of team’s performance and prays for their future success as well.

Wing Commander Sajid Waheed, secretary PSF, has personally talked to Rehmat Khan in India and conveyed congratulations message on this victory.—APP