In a thrilling finale, Pakistan’s Noor Zaman clinched the men’s title at the U23 World Squash Championship. The match took place in Karachi, drawing a packed crowd of fans, dignitaries, and squash legends from around the world.
Noor, just 21 years old, faced Egypt’s Karim El Torkey in a highly anticipated clash of undefeated players. Right from the start, Noor seized control with a 4-0 lead, igniting cheers across the arena. However, El Torkey quickly responded, narrowing the gap and turning the score to 8-4 in his favor. Despite the pressure, Noor stayed composed and focused, relying on powerful low shots to regain momentum.
Soon after, he surged ahead with a 7-1 run, stunning his opponent and winning the deciding set in style. “Being two games down, I only thought about proving my hard work,” Noor said after the match.
Draped in the Pakistani flag, he thanked the home crowd and added, “Alhamdulillah, this moment is unforgettable.” The final was attended by squash icons Jahangir Khan, Gogi Aluddin, and Qamar Zaman—Noor’s grandfather and mentor.
Egypt’s Fayrouz Abouelkheir Dominates Women’s Final
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Fayrouz Abouelkheir delivered a commanding performance in the women’s final against Hong Kong’s Chan Sin Yuk. She quickly claimed the first two sets 12-10 and 11-9, showing complete control throughout the match.
Although Yuk tried to rally, she appeared fatigued and struggled to match Abouelkheir’s pace. Eventually, the Egyptian wrapped up the match in just 31 minutes, winning the title effortlessly.
World Squash Federation President Zena Woolridge praised the historic event, calling it a breakthrough for women’s squash in Pakistan. She noted, “The camaraderie here shows sports knows no boundaries—neither language nor culture.”
