KARACHI – Pakistan’s rising squash talent, Noor Zaman, has earned a coveted place in the main draw of the prestigious British Open Squash Championship, continuing his impressive form on the international circuit.

The reigning World Under-23 champion triumphed in the final qualifying round by defeating Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey, the third seed, with a 3-1 victory. Zaman, seeded tenth in the qualifiers, showcased his skill and determination in a 46-minute battle, winning with scores of 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, and 11-7.

Zaman’s road to qualification saw him outperform some tough competition. He began with a 3-1 win over England’s Will Salter, bouncing back after dropping the first game to win the next three (10-12, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3). He then faced a challenging encounter against Adrian Waller, securing another 3-1 win (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 14-12) in a tense 59-minute match.

With this success, Zaman becomes the first Pakistani since 2022 to enter the British Open’s main draw, a spot last occupied by Tayyab Aslam. The young squash star is set to face England’s Curtis Malik in the first round on Sunday.

Noor Zaman’s qualification marks another milestone in his rising career and rekindles hopes for Pakistan’s squash legacy. Once dominant in the sport, Pakistan still holds the record for the most British Open titles — a total of 30 — with legendary Jahangir Khan claiming 10 of them.

Zaman’s breakthrough at the British Open signals a promising future and serves as a reminder of the country’s rich history in squash.