Noor Zaman receives hero’s welcome in Peshawar after winning World U-23 Squash title
New World Under 23 Squash Champion Noor Zaman poses in a group photo with Secretary General of AIPS Asia Amjad Aziz Malik and other dignitaries in Peshawar on his arrival. (Photo by Ijaz Rasheed)
PESHAWAR, April 13, 2025 - Pakistan’s Noor Zaman, who recently clinched the men's title at the World Under-23 Squash Championships in Karachi, received a warm and enthusiastic welcome upon his return to his hometown of Peshawar.
Noor is the grandson of former world squash champion Qamar Zaman. His family resides near the Hashim Khan Squash Complex of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), where Noor began his squash career under the guidance of his grandfather Qamar Zaman and his father Munawar Zaman — both renowned international and national-level squash players.
Noor has delivered outstanding performances in several national tournaments and proudly represented Pakistan in major international events, including the Asian Games.
Although expectations for him were not particularly high at the recently held World Under-23 Squash Championships in Karachi, there was certainly some hope that Pakistan could once again claim a global title — a feat last achieved decades ago by Sohail Qaiser.
Noor Zaman made his way to the final, where he faced Egypt’s Aboulkheir. Despite losing the first two games, Noor staged a remarkable comeback by winning the next three games, securing the title and making history for Pakistan.
Last year, Hamza Khan — also from the Qamar Zaman family — was crowned the World Junior Champion. This year, Noor Zaman added to the family’s legacy by becoming the Under-23 World Champion.
This remarkable achievement led to a grand reception in Peshawar, where friends, fellow athletes, Pakistan Air Force officials, and people from all walks of life welcomed him with open arms and garlanded him with flowers.
Former World Champion Jansher Khan and the Secretary of the Pakistan Squash Federation, retired Air Commodore Amir Nawaz, were also present at the event.
Speaking to the media, Noor Zaman attributed his success to consistent hard work and expressed hope that he would continue to perform well at the international level, including the upcoming World Senior Squash Championship in the United States, and bring further glory to Pakistan.
Noor is the grandson of former world squash champion Qamar Zaman. His family resides near the Hashim Khan Squash Complex of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), where Noor began his squash career under the guidance of his grandfather Qamar Zaman and his father Munawar Zaman — both renowned international and national-level squash players.
Noor has delivered outstanding performances in several national tournaments and proudly represented Pakistan in major international events, including the Asian Games.
Although expectations for him were not particularly high at the recently held World Under-23 Squash Championships in Karachi, there was certainly some hope that Pakistan could once again claim a global title — a feat last achieved decades ago by Sohail Qaiser.
Noor Zaman made his way to the final, where he faced Egypt’s Aboulkheir. Despite losing the first two games, Noor staged a remarkable comeback by winning the next three games, securing the title and making history for Pakistan.
Last year, Hamza Khan — also from the Qamar Zaman family — was crowned the World Junior Champion. This year, Noor Zaman added to the family’s legacy by becoming the Under-23 World Champion.
This remarkable achievement led to a grand reception in Peshawar, where friends, fellow athletes, Pakistan Air Force officials, and people from all walks of life welcomed him with open arms and garlanded him with flowers.
Former World Champion Jansher Khan and the Secretary of the Pakistan Squash Federation, retired Air Commodore Amir Nawaz, were also present at the event.
Speaking to the media, Noor Zaman attributed his success to consistent hard work and expressed hope that he would continue to perform well at the international level, including the upcoming World Senior Squash Championship in the United States, and bring further glory to Pakistan.
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