Defending champion Muhammad Hamza Khan, along with two other Pakistani players, have advanced to the third round of the World Junior Squash Championship being held in Houston.

In the Boys Under-19 individual event, Hamza Khan defeated Spain’s Salvia Repol Oriol with ease, winning 3-0 in the second round.

The second seed claimed the first game 11-8, the second 11-6, and the final game 11-3, securing his place among the last 64 players.

Previously, Hamza overcame England’s Roberts in the first round.

Hamza won the World Junior title for Pakistan after 37 years in 2023 by defeating Egypt’s top seed Mohamed Zakaria 3-1 in the final held in Melbourne, Australia.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Muhammad Haziq Ibrahim triumphed over Earl Connor in just 23 minutes, winning 3-0.

Another Pakistani player, Aindallah Nawaz, also advanced by defeating South Africa’s Carlson Lucas with the same scoreline.

However, Pakistan’s Muhammad Imad was knocked out in the first round by India’s Surya Bawa, losing 0-3.