Pakistan bridge team got off to sterling start in 40th Bermuda Bowl World Championship when they beat 1992 runners-up Canada 17-13 in their opening league match at Veldhoven (The Netherlands) on Sunday, a message received here said.
Pakistan fielded their most experienced players in the first match including captain Tahir Masood-Javed Miran and Rashid-ul-Ghazi and Tehsin Gheewala and they showed great bidding, defence and tactical play to surprise formidable Canadians.
Country's youthful pair, Khaled Mohiuddin and Mubashir Puri, who were rested in the opening match, watched their seniors in action.
Tahir Masood, who had the honour of playing along with Zia Mahmood during the 1991 Bermuda Bowl at New Dehli, is appearing in his third Bermuda Bowl. Legendary bridge star Zia Mahmood was the member of USA which won the Bermuda Bowl in Sao Paulo in 2009.
After beating top North American Canadian team, Pakistan was due to meet two top European teams - Sweden and Bulgaria in their next league rounds later today.
Pakistan team which is targeting a place in the last eight round of 22-nation contest for the first time since 1981 must secure around 335-340 victory points to qualify for the knock-out round.
Besides Pakistan Open team, Pakistan Seniors team is also taking part in the competition featured in the opening ceremony. Pakistan team took part in the opening ceremony. Like Pakistan Open team, Pakistan Seniors also made a promising start when they beat Australia 20-10.