Pakistan Squash 2026: Players, Tournaments and Rankings
Pakistan squash is enjoying its strongest revival in years, led by Noor Zaman’s climb toward the world’s top 25 and a golden generation of junior medalists. As reported on 15 October 2026, the story of the year is one of on-court success shadowed by off-court disputes over unpaid cash awards from the Pakistan Sports Board.
The nation that once dominated world squash through Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan is once again producing players capable of competing deep into PSA World Tour events, and Pakistan squash fans have genuine reasons for optimism.
Pakistan Squash Star: Noor Zaman’s Rise
Noor Zaman, the 22-year-old from Peshawar and grandson of former world champion Qamar Zaman, is the face of the the sport’s national setup revival. His highest PSA ranking reached world No. 27 in 2026, with his ranking listed at No. 29 in August 2026, and he carried the national flag at the Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan.
His 2026 campaign includes the PSA World Championships in Giza (reaching the round of 32), the British Open (round of 64), the London Classic (round of 16) and the Qatar Classic (round of 32), plus a silver medal in men’s singles and another in the team event at the 2026 Asian Games. His next assignment is the Silicon Valley Open, where he faces Bransten Ming in the round of 32 on 20 October 2026.
Noor’s breakthrough came in April 2025 when he beat Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey in a five-game final to win the inaugural U23 World Squash Championship in Karachi, and he has five PSA titles to his name, including the NASH Cup and the CAS International in late 2025.
PSA Rankings: The Supporting Cast
The the country’s squash scene depth chart is improving. Muhammad Ashab Irfan, who beat Lebanon’s Jason Karam to reach the Asian Games men’s singles last 16 alongside Noor Zaman, sits at world No. 48-49. Veteran Nasir Iqbal climbed back into the world’s top 100, and Tayyab Aslam reached No. 149.
The junior pipeline is the real strength: at the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship in Panzhihua, China, in May 2026, six Pakistani juniors — Nauman Khan, Ahmad Rayyan Khalil, Sohail Adnan, Mahnoor Ali, Abdullah Nawaz and Muhammad Umair Arif — returned with medals. Nauman Khan captured consecutive golds, Ahmad Rayyan Khalil upgraded silver to gold, Sohail Adnan added gold and bronze across two editions, and Mahnoor Ali secured silver in both years.
On the women’s side, Mahnoor Ali and Sana Bahadur compete on the PSA circuit, though both fell early at the Asian Games — Mahnoor losing to Singapore’s Wai Yhann Au Yeong and Sana to Iran’s Najmeh Boushehrizadeh.
Tournaments and the Cash Award Row
The the national setup calendar for late 2026 centres on the PSA circuit events, with Noor Zaman at the Silicon Valley Open from 20 to 24 October. But the sport’s governing politics remain troubled: under the Pakistan Sports Board’s Revised Cash Award Policy 2024, the six Asian Junior medalists should have earned Rs10.5 million, and senior doubles stars Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal are owed Rs1 million each for every silver medal won at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships in Malaysia in 2025 and 2026 — Rs4 million in total.
As reported in mid-August 2026, none of these awards had been paid, a widening gap between policy and implementation that the PSB attributes to its funding constraints.
For more, read our squash in Pakistan history guide and the PSB 2026 funding story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pakistan’s top squash player in 2026?
Noor Zaman, ranked a career-high world No. 27 in 2026, is the leading figure of the game in the country and carried the national flag at the Asian Games.
What did the sport’s national setup win at the Asian Games 2026?
Noor Zaman won silver in men’s singles and a team silver at the 2026 Asian Games, with Pakistan’s players also reaching the men’s singles last 16.
When is Noor Zaman’s next tournament?
Noor Zaman plays Bransten Ming in the round of 32 of the Silicon Valley Open on 20 October 2026.
Why are the country’s squash scene players unpaid by the PSB?
Junior medalists are owed Rs10.5 million and senior doubles stars Rs4 million under the the national setup cash award policy; the PSB cites its funding deficit.
Who are the game in the country’s rising juniors?
Nauman Khan, Ahmad Rayyan Khalil, Sohail Adnan, Mahnoor Ali, Abdullah Nawaz and Muhammad Umair Arif all medalled at the 2026 Asian Junior Championships.
Read Noor Zaman’s career record at Wikipedia on Noor Zaman and the Asian Games coverage at Daily Metro Time on the Asian Games campaign.
Pakistan Squash 2026: FAQs
Pakistan squash dominated the world for decades through the Khan dynasty. From pakistan squash history to today’s pakistan squash players 2026, here are the answers.
Who are Pakistan’s squash legends?
Pakistan squash history stars Jahangir Khan — 555 consecutive match wins, a jahangir khan squash record that may never be broken — and Jansher Khan, whose rivalry with Jahangir defined the sport.
Who plays for Pakistan now?
Pakistan squash players 2026 compete on the PSA tour and in Asian championships, working to reclaim past glory. Junior programmes in Peshawar and Karachi nurture the next generation.
What tournaments are held in Pakistan?
Squash tournaments pakistan include PSA satellite events and the national championships, often staged in Peshawar’s historic venues.
Can Pakistan return to the top?
Pakistan squash revival needs sustained funding and international exposure for juniors. The talent pipeline exists — consistent support is the missing piece.
More Squash Insights
Where can juniors train in Pakistan?
Pakistan squash nurseries in Peshawar and Karachi produce the pakistan squash players 2026 generation. Pakistan squash history inspires them, squash tournaments pakistan give competitive exposure, and the jahangir khan squash record of 555 straight wins remains the ultimate motivation for every young player dreaming of restoring pakistan squash glory.
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