Noor Zaman Pulls Off Stunning Comeback to Retain International Squash Title

Pakistan’s rising squash star Noor Zaman captured the CAS International Squash Championship title in Islamabad after producing a sensational comeback against fellow Pakistani Hamza Khan. Trailing by two games, Noor turned the match around to win 3–2 in a gripping 46-minute final.

Hamza opened strongly, taking the first two games 11-9 and 11-7, putting Noor under immense pressure in the all-Pakistan showdown between two former junior world champions.

But the second seed refused to bow out, regrouping in the third game to claim it 11-7, sparking a dramatic shift in momentum. He then overpowered Hamza 11-4 in the fourth to force a decider.

Noor raced to a commanding 6-1 lead in the fifth game and later pushed it to 9-2, but Hamza fought back to 8-10, threatening to pull off a recovery of his own. Noor held his nerve, sealing the final game 11-8, dropping his racket and raising his arms in triumph as the crowd erupted.

The two players shared a long embrace at the end, with Noor’s grandfather, squash legend Qamar Zaman, watching proudly from the front row.

The match remained smooth and respectful, with both athletes accepting calls without dispute.

This victory allows Noor to retain his CAS title and claim his second PSA World Tour trophy. The tournament, a PSA World Tour Copper-level event, carried a prize purse of USD 37,500 and was held in Islamabad from November 24–28.