KARACHI: Pakistan’s hopes in the 2026 Karachi Open International Squash Tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals as the country’s last contender, World Under-23 Champion Noor Zaman, was defeated by World No. 9 Mohamed Elshorbagy of Egypt.
The tournament, which boasts a record prize pool of $243,500, saw the young Pakistani star facing off against the fourth-seeded Egyptian player at the DHA Creek Club on Friday.
After losing the first two games, Noor Zaman made a stunning comeback by winning the next two games to tie the match at 2-2. However, in the deciding fifth game, the former World Champion Elshorbagy regained control, clinching the victory and securing his place in the semifinals.
Earlier in the tournament, Noor Zaman had upset eighth seed Fares Dessouky of Egypt, showcasing his talent and determination. His journey to the quarterfinals was a testament to his growth and potential on the international stage.
Meanwhile, in the men’s event, third-seeded and World Junior Champion Mohamed Zakaria of Egypt triumphed over Hong Kong’s Alex Liu, winning 3-0, and securing his spot in the next round.
In the women’s event, second-seed and World No. 2, Siva Sangari Mubinhem of Malaysia, defeated seventh-seeded Lucy Termil of England 3-0, while third-seed and World No. 9, Firoze Aboulkhair of Egypt, also dominated Malaysia’s Aifa Azman with a 3-0 victory.
The semifinals are set to take place on Saturday, with a strong presence of Egyptian players. In the men’s event, Mohamed Zakaria will face fellow Egyptian player Karim El Gawad, while former World Champion Mohamed Elshorbagy will compete against his countryman, All Abouelenein. In the women’s event, Amina Arfi will face Nada Abbas, while Siva Sangari Subramaniam will take on her compatriot Aira Azman.
