Noor Zaman wins U23 World Squash Championship

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Noor Zaman clinched the title of inaugural Under-23 World Squash Championship at Creek Club here on Thursday.

Second seed Noor recovered from two games down to beat Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey 4-11, 12-14, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 in 69 minutes in the final. “I had it in my mind to fight till the very end. I had decided not to feel the pressure and fought till the last moment to secure the victory,” said Noor.

He added that his “strategy was to play without thinking about losing or winning. The game plan was to play with patience and keep the pressure under control”. “This win is for Pakistan. The support I have received has been overwhelming, and it pushed me to give my best on the court. I’m proud to carry forward the rich legacy of squash in Pakistan,” Noor said.

Earlier during the event, Noor beat France’s Melvil Scianimanico, Poland’s Jakub Pytlowany, and Kuwait’s Hussain Alzaatari. His outstanding performance in the tournament earned him felicitations from the country’s top leadership including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.

Congratulating the entire nation on Zaman’s success, the PM stated: “Noor Zaman has brought global recognition to Pakistan through his performance. The whole nation is proud of Noor Zaman.”

The premier expressed hope for Pakistan’s future in squash, saying the country will “regain its lost glory in the field of squash”. On the other hand, the president remarked that Zaman displayed “outstanding performance in the championship, including the final” and has brought “pride to Pakistan in the sport of squash”. “I am hopeful for Noor Zaman’s continued success in the future,” said Zardari.