Pakistan’s Hamza Khan and Noor Zaman began their campaigns in impressive fashion at the inaugural Under-23 World Squash Championships, which kicked off on Sunday at Karachi’s prestigious Creek Club.
Noor Zaman, the second seed in the men’s draw, displayed exceptional form as he defeated Kuwait’s Hussain Alzaatari in a commanding 4-set match. Zaman took control early, winning the first set 6-11, before facing a brief setback with a 4-11 loss in the second set. He then regained his momentum, sealing the next two sets 3-11 and 3-11 to secure a 3-1 victory.
Meanwhile, former World Junior Squash Champion Hamza Khan, who rose to fame in 2023 after claiming the World Junior Squash title, was in full force as he cruised past Romania’s Radu Stefan Pena in straight sets. Khan, who had made history by defeating Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria to break Pakistan’s 37-year drought in junior squash titles, showed no mercy on the court, winning 3-11, 1-11, 5-11. His performance highlighted his top-tier skills and his continued quest for global supremacy.
The championships, running from April 6 to 10, are a crucial event for up-and-coming squash players, with 32 players competing in the men’s draw and 22 players in the women’s draw. The winner of the event will not only claim the prestigious title but also secure direct qualification for the PSA World Championships, in addition to receiving the largest share of the $60,000 prize pool. This competition is viewed as a stepping stone for young talent to make their mark in the professional squash circuit.
However, the tournament was not without its challenges for Pakistani players. Mariam Malik, Pakistan’s sole representative in the women’s draw, faced a tough opening match, going down to Spain’s Noa Romero Blazquez in straight sets. Malik, despite her efforts, lost 11-3, 11-2, 11-4, highlighting the highly competitive nature of the tournament.
As the championships progress, all eyes will be on the performances of players like Hamza Khan and Noor Zaman, whose victories have raised hopes for Pakistan in this prestigious international event.
