In a stunning display of grit and glory, 21-year-old Noor Zaman brought home the title at the U23 World Squash Championship, held in Karachi. The triumph is made all the more special by the fact that the championship was hosted on home soil, giving a generation unfamiliar with squash's golden era a chance to witness world-class competition and a local hero rise through it.
Noor Zaman's performance in the final was nothing short of heroic. Down two games to Egypt's unbeaten Karim El Torkey, Noor clawed his way back into the contest, one point at a time, fuelled by a roaring crowd and the legacy of greatness that surrounded him. Among the spectators were squash legends Jahangir Khan, Gogi Aladdin and Noor's own grandfather and mentor, Qamar Zaman — names that once ruled the sport and are now etched in its history.
After edging the third game and dominating the fourth, Noor entered the decisive fifth with renewed confidence and a crowd firmly behind him. What followed was pure command. With an 11-5 finish, Noor won the championship and our hearts. This win may be the stepping stone toward a new chapter in squash.
The presence of international dignitaries, a packed arena and the success of a local athlete signal the rebirth of a sporting culture we had nearly resigned to nostalgia. However, this win, though historic, is only the beginning. There is still a long way to go to rebuild the infrastructure, coaching systems and talent pipelines needed to make Pakistan a consistent squash powerhouse once again.
Noor Zaman's name now joins the list of champions, but with it comes a renewed hope that our squash courts may once again echo with the sound of ambition and victory. Squash is coming home, and Pakistan must make sure it stays.
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