Pakistan to Host Its Biggest Squash Tournament in Over Two Decades

KARACHI: Pakistan is set to host its most lucrative squash event in more than 20 years as the new year begins, signaling a major step in reviving the sport in a country that once dominated the global squash scene.

The Karachi Open, a PSA World Tour Gold event with a total prize fund of around $243,000, will take place January 6-11 at the DA Creek Club, which previously hosted the World U23 Championships in April 2025. This will be the first top-tier PSA event in Pakistan in two decades.

Both the men’s and women’s competitions will offer $121,500 each in prize money. Organizers confirmed that five of the world’s top 10 male players and three of the top 10 female players have committed to participate, underscoring Pakistan’s return as a key destination for elite squash.

Egyptian former world champion and current World No. 5 Karim Abdel Gawad will lead the men’s draw as the top seed. Gawad, seeking his third title in Pakistan, previously won the Pakistan Open 2018 and the Karachi Open 2022, boasting an eight-match winning streak in Karachi. Other top male seeds include World No. 7 Marwan ElShorbagy, World No. 6 Youssef Ibrahim, former World No. 1 Mohamed ElShorbagy, and World No. 11 Mohamed Zakaria.

Pakistan will be represented by rising World U23 champion Noor Zaman, along with Muhammad Ashab Irfan, Tayyab Aslam, and Nasir Iqbal, with the latter two entering as wild cards.

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In the women’s draw, Egypt’s World No. 3 and reigning World Junior Champion Amina Orfi will headline the competition. Malaysia’s World No. 6 Sivasangari Subramaniam is the second seed, followed by Egypt’s World No. 9 Fayrouz Aboelkheir. Local wild cards Sana Bahadar and Mariam Malik will also feature in the main draw.

The Karachi Open marks the most valuable squash tournament in Pakistan since the 2003 World Open in Lahore, which offered $175,000 in prize money. Karachi has gradually re-established itself on the international circuit, hosting the World U23 Championships in April with a $60,000 prize pool.

For a country that produced legends such as Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, the return of high-profile PSA events demonstrates renewed investment in squash. Officials hope that the PSA World Tour Gold Karachi Open will accelerate the revival of competitive squash in Pakistan and reconnect the nation with its rich sporting heritage.