Three Pakistani Standouts Reach Semi-Finals in Major Squash Event

Pakistan’s Hamza Khan, Noor Zaman, and Nasir Iqbal stormed into the semifinals of the CAS–Serena Hotels International Squash Championship 2025 at the Mushaf Squash Complex, as all Egyptian participants were eliminated in a remarkable day for the home side.

Organized by the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) in partnership with Serena Hotels, the tournament runs from November 24 to 28 and features 24 players, including seven Pakistanis and 17 international athletes from countries such as the Czech Republic, Egypt, Hong Kong-China, Japan, Malaysia, and Switzerland.

Hamza Khan recorded the day’s biggest upset, defeating top seed and world number 42 Karim El Hammamy of Egypt in a nail-biting 44-minute match with scores of 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 12-10. Joining him in the semifinals is Switzerland’s David Bernet, who edged out Egypt’s Khalid Labib 7-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10.

Meanwhile, Nasir Iqbal cruised past Moustafa El Sirty 11-4, 11-9, 11-6, and second seed Noor Zaman dispatched Yassin Shohdy in just 24 minutes, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-3.

The semifinal pairings are set: Hamza Khan will take on Bernet, while Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal will contest an all-Pakistan clash for a spot in the final scheduled for Friday, November 28.

The championship is held under the Sports Diplomacy Initiative of Serena Hotels, aiming to foster international sporting engagement and position Pakistan as a hub for global competitions.

At a pre-tournament press briefing on November 20, PSF officials, including Secretary Air Commodore (Retd) Amir Nawaz and Director Academies Group Captain (Retd) Irfan Asghar, along with Serena Hotels representative Syed Fahim Inam, emphasized the prestige of hosting a tournament featuring top-ranked international players such as Karim El Hammamy and Pakistan’s own Noor Zaman.

The event will conclude with the highly anticipated final on November 28.