Pakistan Squash Star Enters Quarterfinals After Egyptian Player Walks Out

Pakistan’s squash star Noor Zaman reached the quarterfinals of the PSA Karachi Open Championship after a dramatic win over Egypt’s eighth seed Fares Dessouky.

The match started in favor of Dessouky, who won the first two games and put Noor Zaman under pressure. However, the Pakistani player made a strong comeback by winning the next two games and taking the match into a deciding fifth game.

The final game turned controversial when Dessouky became angry over decisions made by a Pakistani referee. The situation worsened when the Egyptian player walked off the court in protest before the game could finish.

As a result, the referee awarded the match to Noor Zaman, confirming his place in the quarterfinals.

Here’s the viral video:

Egyptian squash player Fares Dessouky clashed with the referee at the Karachi Open, ultimately taking a match conduct that handed Pakistan’s Noor Zaman a quarterfinal spot in a highly controversial finish.⁣ pic.twitter.com/iXxTNRnkT9

— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) January 7, 2026

Earlier in the tournament, Noor Zaman had already fought hard to defeat France’s Melvil Scianimanico by 3–2 on the opening day.

Noor Zaman is considered one of Pakistan’s rising squash talents. In October last year, he shocked world No. 20 and fifth seed Gregoire Marche at the Open Squash Classic in New York.

He also won the Nash Cup 2025 title in London, Canada, in September last year, defeating Egypt’s Moustafa Elsirty in straight games in the final.

In April 2025, Noor Zaman added another major achievement by winning the first-ever WSF World Under-23 Squash Championships, where he beat Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey in a close final.