In a triumphant moment for Pakistan’s sporting legacy, 21-year-old Noor Zaman won the first-ever Under-23 World Squash Championship title, rallying from two games down to defeat Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey in a pulsating final at Karachi’s DHA Creek Club on Thursday.
Zaman’s five-game thriller ended 5-11, 12-14, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 in a match that lasted 69 minutes and marked Pakistan’s return to squash’s global spotlight.
“I had it in my mind to fight till the very end. I had decided not to feel the pressure and fought till the last moment to secure the victory,” said Zaman, following the emotional win. “The strategy was to play without thinking about losing or winning. The game plan was to play with patience and keep the pressure under control.”
Pakistan’s Noor Zaman has confirmed his spot in the 2024-25 PSA World Championships alongside Egypt’s Fayrouz Aboelkheir after winning the U23 World Squash Championships held at at Creek Club in Karachi this week.
A Battle of Resilience and Nerves
The final began ominously for the second-seeded Zaman, who lost the opening two games as El Torkey capitalized on early momentum. Game two appeared to have gone Zaman’s way until a video review overturned his winning game ball — a psychological blow that could have derailed many players. But Zaman steadied himself and mounted a heroic comeback.
Cheered on by a capacity crowd — including Pakistan squash legends Jahangir Khan, Gogi Alauddin, and Zaman’s grandfather and former world champion Qamar Zaman — the young star clawed back the third game and surged through the fourth. With the momentum now firmly behind him, Zaman dominated the decider, sealing the championship in front of an electrified home audience.
“First of all, thanks to Allah. Kareem was so good today and when I was 0-2 down I just thought ‘don’t go for the win, just play your game.’ And now I’m world champion! It’s an amazing feeling, I’m feeling so good,” Zaman said.
National Recognition and Pride
The U23 title also earned Zaman a coveted spot at the upcoming 2024-25 PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family, positioning him among the world’s elite squash professionals.
“This win is for Pakistan,” Zaman declared. “The support I have received has been overwhelming, and it pushed me to give my best on the court. I’m proud to carry forward the rich legacy of squash in Pakistan.”
Zaman’s win sparked celebrations across Pakistan and drew high praise from the country’s top leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation, stating: “Noor Zaman has brought global recognition to Pakistan through his performance. The whole nation is proud of Noor Zaman.” The premier expressed optimism that Pakistan would “regain its lost glory in the field of squash.”
President Asif Ali Zardari echoed the sentiment, calling Zaman’s campaign an “outstanding performance” and adding: “I am hopeful for Noor Zaman’s continued success in the future.”
Zaman’s journey to the title was paved with impressive performances. He defeated France’s Melvil Scianimanico, Poland’s Jakub Pytlowany, and Kuwait’s Hussain Alzaatari in earlier rounds. In the semifinal, he advanced past Malaysia’s Ameeshenraj Chandaran after the latter retired mid-match due to injury — setting the stage for a gripping final showdown against El Torkey.
Zaman’s emergence has added new fuel to hopes of a Pakistani resurgence in global squash, a sport where the country once dominated for decades through legends like Jahangir and Jansher Khan.
Egypt’s Aboelkheir shines in Women’s Final
While Zaman’s triumph lit up Karachi, Egypt’s Fayrouz Aboelkheir clinched the women’s title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Hong Kong’s Sin Yuk Chan (12-10, 11-9, 11-6). The top seed and World No.14 entered the match as the clear favorite and lived up to expectations, becoming the first woman to lift the U23 world title.
“I’m very happy that finally I can say I’m a world champion,” said Aboelkheir. “That’s a huge, huge word! I’ve been fighting for a world title for the past three years… I really want to win [at the Olympics] for Egypt.”
Like Zaman, Aboelkheir will also feature in the PSA World Championships, having already qualified through her world ranking.
Result: U23 World Squash Championship Men’s Final
Noor Zaman (PAK) bt [3/4] Kareem El Torkey (EGY) 3-2: 5-11, 12-14, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
Result: U23 World Squash Championship Women’s Final
Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt [3/4] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) 12-10, 11-9, 11-6