It’s not often that we celebrate sporting success outside of cricket in Pakistan, but with immense enthusiasm and energy, Pakistan’s own Noor Zaman has brought the nation a great sense of national pride in the year 2025.
He has successfully etched his name in the pantheons of squash history by becoming the first-ever men’s U23 World Squash Champion. The 21-year-old achieved this historic feat at the inaugural U23 World Squash Championship at DHA Creek Club in Karachi. In Pakistan’s case, he’s dusting out the medal cabinets and reclaiming our lost glory in squash.
But like any underdog story, Zaman’s path to victory wasn’t straightforward. In the final match against Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey, the Pakistani star found himself with the chips down; he had lost the first two games. El Torkey, seeded 3/4 in the tournament, dominated the early proceedings, winning the first game 11-5 and clinching a tense second game 14-12.
The weak-willed would have given up; with these odds and these stakes, anyone would crumble. But Zaman showed remarkable mental fortitude. With the astounding weight of national expectations, an athlete this young was able to clench victory from the jaws of defeat.
“I was down two games, and the only thing I had in my mind was that I need to show how hard I’ve worked to get here,” Zaman shared in his post-match interview.
With Pakistan hosting its first world championship in 20 years, Zaman had a chip on his shoulder. He staged a fantastical comeback. He sparked his comeback with the third game, edging a narrow 11-8. He then showed a dominant performance in the fourth with an 11-5 victory. He sealed his triumph with an 11-6 victory in the decisive fifth game, sending the home crowd into raptures.
The final scoreline read 5-11, 12-14, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 in favour of the Pakistani star.
With Zaman, we can say the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. Zaman’s victory is particularly notable given his rich squash heritage. He is the grandson of former squash legend Qamar Zaman, whose greatest triumph was winning the British Open Squash Championships in 1975. With such a rich heritage, victory may have been preordained.
The young champion’s family resides near the Hashim Khan Squash Complex of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), where Zaman began his squash career under the guidance of his legendary grandfather.
The significance of Zaman’s achievement extends beyond another medal in his collection. Events like these usually escape their spheres and affect the nation. With other sports feeling the dearth of funding and love, this victory could lead to a more concentrated effort to find local talent in squash and even all other sports. Pakistani success in squash would return with a bang, soaring like a phoenix from the ashes, ready to shine once more. This epic win also didn’t just fly under the radar; President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were overjoyed, cheering loudly and proudly for Zaman’s triumph. Their messages highlighted his stellar performance, which brought Pakistan back on the world map.
Like any athlete, he returned yearning for his hometown in Peshawar, and his reception didn’t disappoint. He received a hero’s welcome, with friends, fellow athletes, Pakistan Air Force officials, and admirers from all over greeting him enthusiastically and garlanding him with flowers in recognition of his achievement.
Zaman’s victory has secured him a spot in the 2024-25 PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family, which will be held in Chicago next month. This will give him an opportunity to compete against the world’s best senior players.
Speaking to the media during his welcome reception in Peshawar, Zaman attributed his success to consistent hard work and expressed hope that he would continue to perform well at the international level.
Many may suspect Pakistan’s most dominant sport is cricket, but we often forget our illustrious history in the sport of squash. Back in the nostalgic past, giants like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan were drowning in national and international accolades. Jansher Khan won the World Open eight times and the British Open six times. He was ranked number 1 in the world for six years. Jahangir Khan is easily the greatest professional squash player of all time, with an unofficial record of having a 555-game winning streak. Between 1950 and 1997, Pakistan amassed over 30 British Open titles, 14 World Open titles and many more PSA professional titles.
The U23 World Championship in Karachi marks a significant moment for squash in Pakistan. Sindh Squash Association President Adnan Asad called the event “a gateway and first step to getting Pakistan squash back on track,” adding that the tournament was designed “to set the stage and produce another Jahangir Khan in the modern age,” with a target of securing Olympic gold at the LA 2028 Games.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.
The author is studying Economics at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) with a keen interest in financial affairs, international relations, and geo-politics.