Noor Zaman Leads Pakistan’s Squash Hopes at Asian Games
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan’s young squash star Noor Zaman is set to carry the national flag at the Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, as he prepares to lead the country’s challenge in the men’s singles event.
The 22-year-old from Peshawar enters the competition with significant expectations after making a major breakthrough in 2025 by winning the inaugural World Under-23 Squash Championship in Karachi. The Pakistan Squash Federation confirmed his historic title after he defeated Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey in a five-game final.
Noor Zaman Aims to Revive Pakistan’s Squash Legacy
Noor comes from one of Pakistan’s most prominent squash families. His grandfather, former world champion Qamar Zaman, and other members of his family have played important roles in the country’s squash history.
Pakistan once dominated international squash through players such as Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan. Noor now hopes to build his own legacy while helping Pakistan regain a stronger position on the international stage.
The young player has previously spoken about his ambition to see Pakistan competing for major squash titles again.
Asian Games Bring Fresh Challenge
Noor will enter the men’s singles competition as one of Pakistan’s leading medal hopes. He has also experienced the pressure of Asian Games competition before, having represented Pakistan at the 2022 edition.
His return comes with greater experience following several seasons on the PSA World Tour.
The latest available PSA rankings place Noor at No. 29 in the world, while Pakistan’s Muhammad Ashab Irfan is ranked No. 48.
Under-23 World Title Boosted Confidence
Noor’s biggest recent achievement came in April 2025 when he became the first-ever World Under-23 Squash Champion.
Playing in front of a home crowd in Karachi, he recovered from a two-game deficit against Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey to win the final 3-2. The Pakistan Squash Federation described the victory as a historic achievement for the country.
The championship success also provided Noor with valuable momentum as he continued to compete at senior international level.
Preparation Through International Competition
Noor has continued his preparations by competing on the PSA Tour, where regular international matches have helped him gain experience against highly ranked opponents.
He has emphasized the importance of match practice ahead of major tournaments, particularly when facing players from countries with strong squash programmes.
His training base remains in Islamabad, where he has worked with the Pakistan Squash Federation and Pakistan Air Force during his preparations.
Pakistan Hopes for Strong Squash Performance
Noor will not be the only Pakistani player carrying the country’s hopes in the squash competition. Ashab Irfan is also part of Pakistan’s senior squash setup and has established himself among the country’s leading players.
With Noor’s recent Under-23 world title and continued rise in the PSA rankings, Pakistan will be looking to its young players to produce strong performances at the Asian Games.
For Noor, the tournament represents another opportunity to compete at the highest level while continuing his effort to establish himself among the leading squash players in the world.
