Noor Zaman Powers Into WSF U23 Squash Final in Karachi
Karachi: Pakistan’s rising squash star Noor Zaman has booked his place in the final of the inaugural WSF World U23 Squash Championship, delivering a commanding performance to defeat Malaysia’s Ameeshenraj Chandaran in straight sets at the DHA Creek Club in Karachi on Wednesday.
Zaman, seeded second in the tournament, dominated the match from start to finish, securing an emphatic 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 victory. His relentless pace and precision left Chandaran struggling to keep up, with the match ending prematurely as the Malaysian retired after losing two sets.
“The energy from the home crowd has been absolutely amazing. I’m fully focused and will give my all to bring this title home for Pakistan,” said Zaman after the semi-final.
In the upcoming final, Noor Zaman will face a tough opponent in Kareem El Torkey of Egypt. The Egyptian, who was not expected to reach this stage, caused a major upset by defeating the tournament’s top seed, Ibrahim Elkabbani, in four sets: 7-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5.
El Torkey’s impressive comeback after dropping the first game showcased his resilience and tactical brilliance, setting up a high-stakes final between two in-form contenders.
Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Egypt’s top seed Fayrouz Abouelkheir secured her spot in the final after a hard-fought 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4 win over Malaysia’s Aira Azman.
Fayrouz will face Chan Sin Yuk from Hong Kong in the final. Chan advanced after a thrilling five-game battle against Xin Ying Yee of Malaysia, winning 11-7, 11-6, 4-11, 7-11, 11-3.
The finals promise to be electrifying showdowns, with rising stars from across the globe vying for the prestigious U23 world titles in Karachi.