ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Coach Jamshed Gul said on Wednesday that Malaysia would provide a tough challenge to Pakistan in Pool F of the World Team Squash Championship which starts on Thursday.

Pakistan’s pool also has Scotland and Spain but Jamshed is wary of the Malaysians who have among their ranks top players Ong Beng Hee and Azlan Iskander.

“We will try and top our group in order to get a favourable draw in the second round,” Jamshed told Dawn as his boys prepared to take on Scotland in their opening match on Thursday.

Azlan has been in fine form and will play home player Shahid Zaman while Beng Hee is to face Mansoor Zaman. Farhan Mahboob will feature in Pakistan’s third match.

Jamshed predicted that either top seeds England or No. 2 Egypt were likely to win the championship.

The event which has attracted 22 teams will be played simultaneously at the Roshan and Mushaf Squash Complexes in the premises of Pakistan Sports Complex.

England have been placed in Pool A along with England, South Africa, Kuwait and Austria while Egypt have been bracketed with New Zealand, Germany and Iran.

Other pools are (seedings in brackets): C- France (3), India (10), Ireland; D-Australia (4), Netherlands (9), Finland, USA; E- Canada (5), Wales (8), Hong Kong.