KARACHI, Oct 5 Pakistan thrashed South Africa 2-0 in the play-off for fifth place in the 22nd Men's World Team squash championship in Denmark.

Aamir Atlas Khan, ranked 18th in the world circuit, dropped a set before recording a 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 victory over Stephen Coppinger to take lead for Pakistan.

World No, 55 Yasir Butt sealed the victory for Pakistan, beating Clinton Leeuw 11-5, 11-9, 12-14, 6-11, 11-7.

Meanwhile, favourites Egypt clinched the title of the prestigious event by defeating third seeds France 2-1.

French number one Gregory Gaultier, the world No.2, put the underdogs into an unexpected lead when he recovered from a game down to beat world number one Karim Darwish 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2 in 53 minutes.

Ramy Ashour soon brought Egypt back into contention by defeating France's third string Renan Lavigne 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 in just 23 minutes.

The decider featured Egypt's Amr Shabana and Frenchman Thierry Lincou, both former world champions and world number ones. Shabana however overcame his French opponent 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 in 66 minutes to claim the title for Egypt.

Defending champions England, beaten by France in the semi-finals, suffered further ignominy in the play-off for third place when they lost to fourth seeds Australia.—PPI