Under-23 World champion Noor Zaman Friday came from two games down to lift the CAS International Serna Hotels Squash Championship 2025, after defeating former British junior champion Hamza Khan 3-2 in 46 46-minute-long and hard-fought final here at Mushaf Squash Complex.
Air Marshal Kazim Hammad, President Pakistan Squash Federation, graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest and presented trophies and souvenirs. Air Vice Marshal Sohail Akbar, Senior Vice President PSF, along with Fahim Inam, Chief Operating Officer Serena Hotels, Squash Legend Qamar Zaman, VP PSF Dr Riaz Khan, President Sindh SA, Mr Adnan Asad and several players, officials and squash lovers were also present during the ceremony.
Noor was under tremendous pressure from the word go, as Hamza kept Noor busy in all corners of the court, winning the first game 11-9. Hamza went on to clinch the second game with more comfort and ease, grabbing the game 11-7.
After being down and almost out, the world number 42, the son of Munawwar Zaman, nephew of former world number 11 Mansoor Zaman and grandson of former world squash champion Qamar Zaman, bounced back in grand style, claiming the third game 11-7.
Second-seed Noor applied the same pressure and took 4th game 11-4, while in the fifth and deciding game. 10th-seed and world number 101 Hamza tried to put up some resistance, but to no avail, as Noor was in no mood to let Hamza off the hook after some brilliant rallies. Noor finished in grand style, taking the game 11-7, thus winning the prestigious title in 46 minutes.
Hamza Khan had produced two major upsets en route to the final, defeating top-seeded Egyptian Kareem El Hammamy in the quarterfinals and overcoming sixth-seed David Burnett of Sweden in the semifinals.
While talking exclusively to Channel 24 Web, Noor Zaman’s father, Munawwar Zaman, said Noor trained in the USA for a month under Karamat Ullah Khan, while he was training with the Pakistan Squash Federation as well.
He said Noor Zaman’s grandfather, Qamar Zaman Khan, and he also trained him in Peshawar.
He said after winning the world under-23 championship, the PSF was taking full care of Noor and providing him with tickets to daily allowances and whatever Noor required for top-class training.
Munawwar said the Pakistan Air Force chief, during a meeting, had promised to provide every possible support and backing to Noor. “We are highly thankful to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sandu, PSF Senior Vice President Kazim Hammad and PSF secretary Air Commodore Amir Nawaz, and we are highly optimistic withthe federation’s backing and support, Noor will soon start to win world titles.”
