Pakistan’s Noor Zaman made a winning start to his World Squash Championship campaign after defeating Egypt’s Adam Hawal in a closely contested opening-round match.
Competing in Egypt, Noor secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the home player to advance in the tournament and strengthen Pakistan’s presence in the international squash event.
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The match proved highly competitive, with both players exchanging momentum across five games before Noor sealed the result. According to the official scoreline, Noor Zaman won the encounter 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8.
The Pakistani player showed resilience in the deciding game, recovering from strong resistance by his Egyptian opponent to close out the match and claim victory.
Pakistan’s Noor Zaman kicked off his PSA World Championships 2026 campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Adam Hawal to advance to the second round. Meanwhile, fellow Pakistani Asim Khan bowed out after a 3-0 defeat to Joel Makin, the World No. 5. pic.twitter.com/xguoeA27UQ
— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) May 8, 2026
The result marks a positive start for Pakistan in the championship, where multiple players are representing the country. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Asim Khan was unable to progress after suffering defeat in the opening round against fifth seed Joel Makin.
Makin, one of the top-ranked players in the competition, proved too strong for Asim, ending the Pakistani player’s campaign early in the tournament.
Pakistan’s third participant, Ashab Irfan, is also part of the championship and is scheduled to play his first-round match later today.
Pakistani squash has a rich history on the global stage, with legends such as Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan previously dominating the sport and helping establish the country as a traditional powerhouse.
Recent performances by younger players have generated renewed optimism among fans hoping for a revival of Pakistan’s standing in world squash.
Noor Zaman’s opening victory is likely to boost confidence heading into the next rounds as he aims to continue his run in the tournament.
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The World Squash Championship remains one of the sport’s most prestigious events, bringing together top international players from around the world.
Fans will now look to Noor and the remaining Pakistani participants to build momentum and deliver strong performances in the later stages of the competition.