Pakistani squash sensation Noor Zaman clinched a historic spot in the main draw of the British Open 2025 in Birmingham, UK, defeating Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey 3-1 (11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7) in a 46-minute match at Solihull Arden Club.
The Noor Zaman British Open achievement is the first time a Pakistani has reached this stage in 20 years.
Ranked 44th in the world, Zaman started strong by taking a 2-0 lead with precise shots, according to a press release from the British Open. Although El Torkey made a comeback, winning the third game 11-3, Zaman regained control in a closely contested fourth game, securing victory with a score of 11-7. “Alhamdulillah, I’m the first Pakistani to qualify for the British Open main round after a 20-year gap,” Zaman stated on X.
Your @Gillenmarkets British Open 2025 Women's Qualifiers 👏
🏴 @EmyrevoEmyr
🇪🇬 Moustafa Elsirty
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🇵🇰 Noor Zaman pic.twitter.com/ryJne9SFfC
— British Open (@BritOpenSquash) May 29, 2025Zaman’s recent victory comes after he won the U23 World Championship last month, where he made a remarkable 3-2 comeback against El Torkey in Pakistan. His status as a rising squash star in Pakistan continues to grow, especially with the British Open’s Diamond-level event featuring a prize pool of $348,500. Zaman is set to face England’s Curtis Malik in the main draw on June 1.
As Pakistan’s third-ranked men’s senior player, Zaman’s British Open 2025 milestone revives the nation’s squash legacy. His journey inspires fans and underscores Pakistan’s resurgence in global squash, competing alongside qualifiers like Wales’ Emyr Evans and Egypt’s Moustafa Elsirty.
