April 27, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 28, 1427

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KARACHI, April 26: Pakistani women notched up their first win when they humbled Azerbaijan 3-1 while miseries of men continues when they lost straight to Colombia to taste third defeat in as many days in the World Team table tennis championship at Bremen, Germany, on Wednesday, according to information made available here.

Rahila Kashif played pivotal role by grabbing both matches in contrasting styles to steer her team to an emphatic victory.

She gave her side a flying start beating Sabina Ahmadova 11-3, 11-9, 11-4 in the opener.

However, the lead was short lived as Sadia Falaksher went down to Bilura Eminova 8-11, 8-11, 4-11.

Ayesha Iqbal put Pakistan 2-1 ahead when she accounted for Khayala Qiyasova 11-13, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-4 in the fully stretched battle.

Playing her reverse singles, Rahila downed Bilura Eminova 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 11-7 as the victory brought some joy in Pakistani camp.

Earlier, Pakistan conceded the opening match to Togo by awarding a walk over due to late arrival in Bremen.

Pakistan are drawn in division 4 group M (women) alongside Azerbaijan, Iran, Isle of Men, Maldives, New Caledonia, South Africa and Togo.

In the men’s, Asim Qureshi who opened Pakistan campaign against Colombia succeeded in taking the first set 14-12 but failed to maintain the pace and lost the following three 9-11, 9-11, 10-12 to Echavarria Alexander.

Kashif Razzak who came in next went down 2-11, 3-11, 7-11 to Alvarado Carlos Andres.

Salim Abbas suffered 3-11, 9-11, 6-11 loss at the hands of Rodriguez Ricardo.

At the time of filing this report Pakistan were drawn to meet Mexico in their fourth round match.

Results:

Women

Division 4 Group M

Pakistan bt Azerbaijan 3-1

Rahila Kashif bt Sabina Ahmadova 11-3, 11-9, 11-4; Sadia Falaksher lost to Bilura Eminova 8-11, 8-11, 4-11; Ayesha Iqbal bt Khayala Qiyasova 11-13, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-4; Rahila Kashif bt Bilura Eminova 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 11-7.

Men

Division 3 Group J

Colombia bt Pakistan 3-0

Echavarria Alexander bt Asim Qureshi 12-14, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10; Alvarado Carlos Andres bt Kashif Razzak 11-2, 11-3, 11-7; Rodriguez Ricardo bt Salim Abbas 11-3, 11-9, 11-6.