Latest news with #NoorZaman
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Noor Zaman qualifies for British Open Squash Championship main round
Pakistan's Noor Zaman has qualified for the main draw of the British Open Squash Championship, continuing his strong performance on the professional circuit. The reigning World Under-23 Squash champion secured his place in the prestigious England tournament after defeating Egypt's Kareem El Torkey 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 in a 46-minute qualifying final. Result: GillenMarkets British Open 2025 Men's Qualifying Finals 🇵🇰 Noor Zaman beats [3] Kareem El Torkey 🇪🇬 3-1: 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 (46m)#BritishOpen — British Open (@BritOpenSquash) May 29, 2025 Earlier, Zaman defeated England's Will Salter 3-1 (10-12, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3) in 42 minutes, followed by a thrilling 3-1 victory over Adrian Waller (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 14-12) in a 59-minute match. Zaman, seeded 10th in the qualifiers, is the first Pakistani player to reach the British Open main round since 2022. He will face England's Curtis Malik in the first round on Sunday. Tayyab Aslam was the last Pakistani to compete in the main draw in 2022. Pakistan holds the record for the most British Open titles — 30 in total — including 10 won by legendary Jahangir Khan. Zaman's consistent performances underscore his rising prominence in international squash.
Arab News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistan's Noor Zaman revives family legacy with epic Under-23 world squash championship comeback
PESHAWAR: Noor Zaman found himself on the brink of defeat after losing the first two games to his Egyptian counterpart in the final of the Under-23 Men's World Squash Championship in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi this month. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The 21-year-old faced a moment of truth in front of a roaring home crowd and decided he could not lose the world championship Pakistan was hosting for the first time in 30 years and what followed was an epic comeback from Zaman to beat Egypt's Karim El Turky 3-2. His victory was not just a personal milestone but a symbolic moment for Pakistani squash, a sport once dominated by legends like Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, and Zaman's own grandfather, Qamar Zaman. 'When I got 2-0 down, only one thing was coming to my mind that 'a world championship is being held in Pakistan after three decades, the whole crowd is sitting here to support me, if I lose, I will regret it a lot',' Zaman recalled. 'I thought to myself that 'all the hard work I have done in the past three, four months to prepare for this tournament, I should go to the court and fight for every single point.' Thank God, I fought for every point and Allah made me the world champion.' Zaman, who hails from the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, says for him, squash was more of an obligation than a passion. 'When I was young, I used to be taken for playing squash [by my grandfather]. I was not as passionate in childhood,' he said. But with time, the sport became his calling. Zaman's ascent began with two consecutive Asian Junior Championship titles last year, followed by a silver medal at the Asian Games after graduating to the senior category. The Under-23 World Squash Championship saw participation from 32 countries, with Zaman defeating opponents from Kuwait, Poland, France, and Malaysia on his path to the final. Zaman defeated 3-0 the players he had narrowly contested against as a junior, which was a testament to his growing dominance in the game. His final opponent, Egypt's El Turky, pushed him to the limit, but Zaman staged a spirited comeback, cheered on by an electrifying crowd in Karachi. But there has hardly been any official recognition of Zaman's feat. 'Everyone congratulated me — government officials, seniors, everyone — but no one has yet invited me for any honors,' he shared. The 21-year-old remains grounded, driven by the legacy of his grandfather who continues to nurture talent in Peshawar by organizing regular tournaments. 'This is our family game and all the players emerging from Peshawar are emerging because of him, because of his support,' Noor said. 'He organizes 2-3 tournaments every month, which gives motivation to kids and they improve further.' Zaman's victory in the Under-23 championship has earned him a direct wildcard entry to next month's Senior World Championship in Chicago. The young Pakistani squash star is hopeful of not just carrying forward his family's legacy, but also helping his country reclaim its former glory in the sport. 'God willing, now, I am going to play the Senior World Championship, [and] the goal is to become the Senior World Champion,' he said.
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pakistan's Noor Zaman wins U23 World Squash Championship at DHA Creek Club
Noor Zaman of Pakistan won the Under-23 World Squash Championship, defeating Egypt's Karim El Turky 3-2 in a hard-fought final at Karachi's DA Creek Club. Pakistan's Noor Zaman secured the Under-23 World Squash Championship title after a 3-2 victory over Egypt's Karim El Turky in the men's final, held at the DA Creek Club in Karachi. Zaman, who credited his success to hard work and divine favour, brought home the gold medal following a tense and closely contested match. In the women's event, top-seeded Fairooz Aboulkheir of Egypt emerged victorious after a straight-set win against Hong Kong's fourth seed, Chan Sin Yuk, clinching the title with a 3-0 result. Both champions received a gold medal, the winners' trophy, and a prize of $5,250 each. The runners-up were awarded silver medals and $3,450 apiece. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Zaman for his win, praising him for raising Pakistan's profile in international sport. 'The entire nation is proud. God willing, Pakistan will reclaim its lost glory in squash,' he stated. Delighted to see our homegrown talent, Noor Zaman, storm into the men's final of the Under-23 World Squash Championships with an astounding 3-0 victory 🏆 Also, great performance by Muhammad Ammad and Amna Fayyaz in the plate events! #PrideOfPakistan #FutureChampions — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 10, 2025 President Asif Ali Zardari also extended congratulations, lauding Zaman for his performance throughout the tournament and expressing hope for his continued success in the future. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah attended the closing ceremony as the president's representative and hailed the event as a milestone in squash history. 'Hosting the inaugural U23 World Squash Championship is an honour for Pakistan,' Shah said. He emphasised squash's historic value in Pakistan and reiterated the government's commitment to nurturing young talent and restoring the country's legacy in the sport. Shah also acknowledged the efforts of the Pakistan Squash Federation, Sindh government, DHA, and the Pakistan Air Force in promoting squash. The championship marked a significant moment in Pakistan's squash revival, with local authorities and the World Squash Federation expressing optimism about the sport's future in the region.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Noor Zaman makes history with WSF World U23 Squash Championship victory
Listen to article Pakistan's rising squash sensation, Noor Zaman, clinched the title at the inaugural WSF World U23 Squash Championships on Thursday, securing a dramatic comeback victory over Egypt's Kareem El Torkey. After being down 2-0, Zaman regained his form and dominated the final three sets, winning 3-2. Reflecting on his win, Zaman attributed his victory to maintaining focus despite the early deficit. "I had it in my mind to fight till the very end," Zaman said after the match. The second-seeded Zaman advanced to the final after a dominant performance against Malaysia's Ameeshenraj Chandaran in the semi-finals, where his opponent retired with Zaman already up two games. Zaman's remarkable performance has been widely praised, with Pakistan's leadership extending heartfelt congratulations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded Zaman for bringing global recognition to Pakistan, expressing confidence that the nation will "regain its lost glory in squash." President Asif Ali Zardari also praised Zaman's "outstanding performance" and wished him continued success in the sport.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Noor Zaman in final of World U-23 squash
Pakistan's Noor Zaman stormed into the final of the inaugural WSF World U-23 Squash Championships with a fabulous, hard fought 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 victory against Malaysia's Ameeshenraj Chandaran on Wednesday at Karachi's DHA Creek Club. The second-seeded Zaman will now face Egypt's Kareem El Torkey in Thursday's final after the Torkey seed stunned top-seeded compatriot Ibrahim Elkabbani 7-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 in the other semi-final. Zaman was already two games up when his opponent retired from the game. "The crowd support has been incredible and I'll give everything to win this title for Pakistan," said Noor Zaman after the final. In the women's event, top seed Fayrouz Abouelkheir of Egypt defeated Malaysia's Aira Azman 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4 to set up a final against Hong Kong's Chan Sin Yuk, who overcame Malaysia's Xin Ying Yee 11-7, 11-6, 4-11, 7-11, 11-3.
