By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Noor Zaman staged a dramatic comeback from two games down to defeat Egypt’s Karim El Torkey in a thrilling five-game final and claim the men’s U23 World Squash Championship title on Thursday, electrifying a packed home crowd that included squash legends, foreign dignitaries, and a tearful reunion with his mentor and grandfather, former world champion Qamar Zaman.
The 21-year-old, ranked 68th globally, clinched victory 8-11, 12-14, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 in a 78-minute thriller at Karachi’s packed PSB Squash Complex, where spectators, including squash legends Jahangir Khan roared him to victory.
El Torkey, the world No. 55, appeared poised for a straight-games win after capitalizing on Noor’s early errors to secure the first two sets. But Noor regrouped during a tense third game, deploying precise low shots to force errors and claw back momentum.
A pivotal two-minute break after the fourth game saw compatriot Muhammad Ammad, winner of the consolation final, massaging Noor’s legs and rallying him for the decider.
“I was down two games, and the only thing in my mind was to show how hard I’ve worked. Alhamdulillah, the match was mine,” Noor told reporters post-match, draped in the Pakistani flag.
The fifth game saw Noor sprint to a 5-0 lead before sealing the title with a cross-court winner, sparking deafening cheers. He collapsed to the floor in exhaustion before embracing El Torkey, later breaking down in tears during an emotional embrace with his grandfather and coach, Zaman.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Noor, with Sharif vowing to reclaim the country’s “lost glory” in the sport. Pakistan last won a senior men’s world title in 1997.
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