KARACHI: Pakistan’s Noor Zaman and M Asim Khan are participating in the PSA World Championships in Chicago, Illinois, USA -- the biggest event in professional squash. Pakistan’s under-23 World Champion Noor and the country’s top player Asim Khan are among the 128 players, representing 27 different countries, in this World Champions.
According to the draws, Qualifier Noor Zaman will face Qatar’s Abdullah Al-Tamimi and unseeded Asim Khan is up against Auguste Dussourd from France in the first round on Friday and Saturday at the University Club of Chicago. The two heavy favourites in the men’s event are the top two seeds Ali Farag and Mostafa Asal.
The latter only moved ahead of Farag in the world rankings a few weeks ago, therefore Farag tops the seedings this week as he looks to move into outright third in the all-time World Titles standings with five titles to his name.
Asal however is the most in form player in the men’s game and deservedly sits at the top of the rankings. He is looking to claim his first World Championship title and avenge his loss in last year’s final to Diego Elias.
The battle for World No.1 is once again in the balance over the next fortnight as Farag needs to reach the same stage or better the result of Asal to move back ahead of his younger compatriot in the rankings come May 19th.
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, 3/4 seeds Diego Elias and Paul Coll have plenty to play for and will be determined to throw their hats in the ring to claim the ultimate prize in the game. Elias produced two masterclass performances in last year’s championships to beat both Farag and Asal on Egyptian soil to make history as the first ever South American to lift the coveted trophy.
Despite suffering with a recent injury and looking like he wasn’t completely fit in Zurich, the Peruvian is always a danger and will be hoping to become the fifth man ever to defend the title.
The 2018/19 runner up Coll has already been a World No.1 but to also add the World Championships to his achievements would be a dream come true for the Kiwi. Coll sits at No.4 in the world and despite not having as lucrative a season as the 23/24 campaign, his grit and stubbornness make him a test of any player and this event in particular is one which he will be willing to leave everything on court.
