Pakistani squash sensation Noor Zaman British Open journey reached a historic milestone as he became the first Pakistani player in two decades to qualify for the main draw of the prestigious British Open. This breakthrough came after Zaman defeated Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey 3-1 in a gripping qualifier match at the Solihull Arden Club in Birmingham.
Ranked 44th in the world, Zaman took early control of the match, winning the first two games 11-5 and 11-8. El Torkey briefly turned the tide with an 11-3 win in the third, but Zaman bounced back with sharp focus. With the fourth game tied at 5-5, he surged ahead, eventually sealing the win 11-7. The entire contest wrapped up in just 46 minutes, showcasing Zaman’s tactical precision and court awareness.
This wasn’t the first time Noor Zaman outplayed Kareem El Torkey. Just a month earlier, he defeated the Egyptian in the U23 World Championship final in Lahore. That match featured a thrilling comeback on home soil. This recent win further proves Zaman’s growing dominance and highlights Pakistan’s squash revival.
“Alhamdulillah, after 20 years, I have qualified for the Main Round of the British Open,” Zaman shared on X. “I’m honored to be the first Pakistani to achieve this milestone.”
The main draw begins on May 31. Zaman will face England’s Curtis Malik on June 1. In addition, players like Emyr Evans (Wales), Moustafa Elsirty (Egypt), and Dewald van Niekerk (South Africa) also qualified.
Moreover, the British Open 2024 is a PSA Diamond-level event. It offers a massive prize purse of $348,500 for both men and women.
Noor Zaman’s British Open qualification is not just a personal victory. Instead, it reignites national pride and motivates a new generation of Pakistani squash players. He follows in the legendary footsteps of icons like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.
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