ISLAMABAD, June 12: Pakistan overpowered the Netherlands in their third match to qualify for the last-16 stage of the World Men’s Team Squash Championship in Mulhouse, France on Wednesday.

According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Squash Federation here, Pakistan beat the Netherlands 2-1.

With the victory against the Dutch, Pakistan secu-red second position in pool ‘C’ behind France, and will now face fourth-seeded Australia in their last-16 match.

Pakistan’s Farhan Zaman beat Netherlands’ Sebastian Weenink 11-7, 12-10, 10-12, 11-8, Farhan Mahboob blanked Bart Ravelli 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 while for the Netherlands Laurens Jan Anjema outgunned Nasir Iqbal 11-4, 11-5, 11-5.

On Tuesday, Pakistan lost their second match against France 3-0.

France’s Thierry Lincou beat Farhan Zaman 11-7, 11-2, 11-1, Mathieu Castagnet outclassed Farhan Mahboob 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 and Gregory Gaultier beat Nasir Iqbal 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.

In their opening pool match, Pakistan had crushed Russia 3-0.

Thirty-one nations are competing in the 24th edition of the biennial global event which is being held in France for the first time. —Agencies