Squash: NZ lose opening match at world champs

New Zealand lost 2-1 to Germany in the opening match of the world men's team squash championship in Islamabad, Pakistan, last night.

Callum O'Brien provided some heroics for New Zealand, climbing out of his sick bed after picking up a bug to beat German No 2 Simon Rosner 6-9 9-6 7-9 9-7 9-6 in 85 minutes.

O'Brien had been down with the bug for a couple of days and suffered stomach cramps and fatigue.

However Kashif Shuja slumped to a heartbreaking 85-minute loss to Stefan Leifels in the battle of the No 1 players.

Shuja lost the first game 9-10 but bounced back to win the next two 10-9 and 9-5 and then served for the match at 8-6 up in the fourth. However, Leifels fought back to win 10-8 and then claimed the decider 9-3.

Campbell Grayson also came up just short against German No 3 Simon Baker, going down 9-6 10-8 6-9 9-5 in an hour and a quarter.

New Zealand will play Iran in the second round of pool play tomorrow although O'Brien will be rested, with Martin Knight coming off the reserves in his place.

- NZPA