Pakistan’s squash revival is in full swing as Hamza Khan and Noor Zaman stormed into the final of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Serena Hotel International Squash Championship on Thursday, promising an all-Pakistan showdown. The title decider, scheduled for Friday, features world number 101 Hamza against second seed and world number 43 Noor, both eager to reclaim Pakistan’s place on the international squash stage.
Also Read: Dushmantha Chameera Holds Nerve as Sri Lanka Edge Pakistan by Six Runs in Thrilling T20 Tri-Series
Hamza, 20, continued his sensational run by defeating Switzerland’s David Bernet 11-9, 11-13, 12-10, 11-5 in a gripping 55-minute semi-final. Coming off a stunning win over top-seeded Egyptian Karim El Hamamy the day before, Hamza showed remarkable composure and power, particularly in the fourth set where his cross-court shots dominated the match.
“I am super happy for winning this match. For the first time in my career,” Hamza told Dawn.com. “I am going to play this level of PSA tournament of US $35,000. This will help improve my ranking.” He expressed excitement about facing Noor in the final, recalling their previous encounter at the USA Junior Open in 2021, where he triumphed 3-1. “I am fully prepared to put up a strong fight. Throughout this tournament, my performance remained outstanding, and I caused upsets against the top seed,” he said.
Hamza also highlighted the broader success for Pakistan, noting that the team defeated eight Egyptian players in the championship, signaling that the country’s squash is on the right track. He cited legends Jansher and Jahangir Khan as inspirations, while also acknowledging the influence of his family, particularly Shahid Zaman and Mansoor Zaman, emphasizing that squash is a family tradition. Hamza began playing at age 11 and won the junior championship in 2023, ending a 37-year wait for Pakistan since Jansher Khan’s triumph.
Noor Zaman, 21, grandson of legendary Qamar Zaman, reached the final after his opponent Nasir Iqbal retired due to a stomach ailment. Noor had already taken the first set 11-5, and with Nasir retiring early in the second, he advanced with an 11-5, 11-1 victory. Noor, the Under-23 world champion, expressed optimism ahead of the final, highlighting his ambition to break into the world’s top 30 within a year. “It was unfortunate that after the Jansher and Jahangir era, our squash faced decline, but now things are improving. I love squash and started playing at seven under my grandfather’s guidance,” he told Dawn.
Nasir, 31, explained his retirement decision as precautionary, revealing he is still recovering from a recent dengue infection. He aims to stay fit for an upcoming major international squash tournament in Karachi this January.
With Hamza and Noor set to battle for the CAS Serena title, Pakistan’s fans are witnessing the emergence of homegrown talent ready to restore the nation’s proud squash legacy. The all-Pakistan final not only promises a thrilling contest but also signals a hopeful resurgence for the country on the global squash stage.
