Karachi (GNP): The 2026/27 PSA Squash Tour season kicked off today in Karachi with the Copper-level PN Fleet Club Squash Open 2026, marking the first world tour event of the new season.
Six Pakistani players took part in the tournament: Noor Zaman, Muhammad Asim Khan, Muhammad Hamza Khan, Nasir Iqbal, Anas Khan, and Saeed Abdul. Nasir Iqbal has advanced to the final, while Noor Zaman and Muhammad Hamza Khan made it to the quarterfinals. Saeed Abdul and Anas Khan were eliminated in the first round.
Semi-Final Results:
- Nasir Iqbal (PAK) defeated Yassin Elshafei 7 3-0 — 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 (24 minutes)
- Salman Khalil 3 defeated Muhammad Asim Khan 8 3-1 — 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5 (57 minutes)
Zaman finds himself drawn in the same half as Egypt’s third seed, Khalil, while Egypt’s second seed, El Hammamy, is set to meet Switzerland’s fourth seed, Bernet, in the semi-finals should the tournament follow seeding predictions.
Further down the seedings, Egypt’s Yassin Shohdy, Mohamed Nasser, and Yassin Elshafei are all expected to challenge higher-ranked players, while Pakistan’s Muhammad Asim Khan — currently ranked World No. 77 — completes the list of top-eight seeds. Asim Khan could potentially meet fellow Pakistani player Zaman in the quarterfinals, provided both win their opening matches.
Beyond Zaman and Asim Khan, Pakistan’s presence in the tournament also included Nasir Iqbal, Hamza Khan, and wildcard entries Anas Khan and Saeed Abdul.
Earlier in the tournament, Muhammad Asim Khan put up a strong fight before falling to Egypt’s third seed, Salman Khalil, in four games. Despite his effort, Asim lost 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5 in a hard-fought match lasting 57 minutes.
Noor Zaman and Muhammad Hamza Khan both progressed to the quarterfinals, while Saeed Abdul and Anas Khan were knocked out in round one.
Congratulations to all the Pakistani players on their performances, and best of luck to Nasir Iqbal in the final — the whole nation is cheering for you!
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
