Peshawar boy revives Pakistan’s squash glory

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): For the first time in 37 years, a rising player from Peshawar has won Pakistan the World Junior Squash Championship title.

Hamza Khan outplayed Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria to win the accolades. Former squash great Jan Sher Khan, also hailing from Peshawar, had emerged as the junior world champion in 1986.

PTV Sports reported Hamza humbled Zakaria 3-1 in the final played in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday.

Hamza, who had had won the U-15 title at the British Junior Open Squash Championship in 2020 — commended support from his coach, managers and parents.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the player for bringing the title back to Pakistan. He hoped Hamza would make Pakistan “invincible” in the sport.

Reacting to his success, President Arif Alvi recalled Pakistan had enjoyed unprecedented supremacy in squash in the past.

With a strong squash pedigree, Hamza is a nephew of ex-World No 14 Shahid Zaman and a a close relative of Qamar Zaman.

“My father used to take me to the Hashim Khan Squash Complex, where he would coach me. I usually practiced for half an hour,” the elated champion said after his feat.

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