KARACHI: Pakistan, led by Aamir Atlas Khan, the world No. 23 from Peshawar, are seededsecond in 2008 World Junior Men’s Team Squash Championship in Switzerland according to

the interim seedings revealed by the World Squash Federation (WSF).

Aamir will celebrate his 18th birthday during the individual championships in which he has been nominated as top seed. Egypt are seeded to retain their title in the team event. The young Egyptian squad will be led by Mohamed El Shorbagy, the 17-year-old world No. 62 from Alexandria.

But Egypt will undoubtedly face tough opposition from second seeded Pakistan, winners of the title in 2002 and 2004. A record 32 nations including the Cayman Islands, China, Ecuador and Guatemala for the first time will contest the biennial championships in Zurich from August 2-7, following the World Junior Men’s Individual Championship, which runs from July 28 to August 1.

The final seeding order will be decided on semifinals day of the Individual Championship after the final squad submissions are lodged that day and thereafter the draw will be made. England, winners of the title three successive times between 1996 and 2000, are the third seeds, while Malaysia are the No. 4 seeds.

Full Interim Seeding:

1 Egypt, 2 Pakistan, 3 England, 4 Malaysia, 5 France, 6 Hong Kong, 7 India, 8 Germany, 9 Australia, 10 New Zealand, 11 Canada, 12 Switzerland, 13 USA, 14 Finland, 15 South Africa, 16 Wales — 17/2; Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Kuwait, Netherland, Spain and Sweden; and 25/32; Bermuda, Cayman Islands, China, Ecuador, Guatemala, Italy, Nigeria and Venezuela.