Egypt’s Salman Khalil defeats Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal 

Egypt's Salman Khalil emerged victorious at the PN Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship after defeating Pakistan's Nasir Iqbal

Egypt’s Salman Khalil emerged victorious at the PN Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship after defeating Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal in a thrilling final held at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex in Karachi. The prestigious tournament, organized by the Sindh Squash Association, concluded with an impressive display of world-class squash and highlighted the growing of the event.

Third-seeded Salman Khalil from Egypt outclassed Pakistan’s experienced player Nasir Iqbal in straight games to claim the championship title. Khalil secured the victory with game scores of 14-12, 11-3, and 13-11, demonstrating remarkable consistency, skill, and composure throughout the contest. Although Nasir Iqbal fought hard and received strong support from the home crowd, he was unable to overcome the Egyptian’s aggressive play and tactical brilliance.

The final attracted several distinguished guests from Pakistan’s sports and military communities. Commander Karachi, Vice Admiral Faisal Amin, attended the event as the chief guest and distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up. The ceremony was also graced by the presence of Pakistan’s squash legend and former world champion Jahangir Khan, along with former Governor of Sindh Moinuddin Haider, who praised the high standard of competition and encouraged young players to pursue excellence in the sport.

The championship featured a total prize purse of US$41,000 making it one of the most significant squash tournaments held in Pakistan this year. The event attracted talented players from different countries and provided local athletes with an opportunity to compete against international opponents on home soil.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Vice Admiral Faisal Amin expressed his satisfaction over the successful organization of the tournament. He said that hosting an international squash championship of this caliber was a positive step for Pakistan’s sporting landscape. He reaffirmed the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to promoting sports and supporting athletes through the organization of national and international competitions. According to him, such events help revive Pakistan’s rich sporting traditions while inspiring the younger generation to participate in healthy and competitive activities.

Sindh Squash Association President Adnan Asad also addressed the audience during the prize distribution ceremony. He revealed that several more high-prize-money squash tournaments are being planned in the near future. He emphasized that the responsibility now lies with the players to work hard, improve their skills, and seize the opportunities being created for them. Asad expressed confidence that regular international competitions would contribute significantly to the development of Pakistani squash.

Former world champion Jahangir Khan shared his hopes for the future of Pakistani squash. He said he dreams of seeing Pakistani players qualify for the Los Angeles Olympic Games and ultimately win the country’s first Olympic gold medal in squash. Jahangir stressed that achieving such success would require unwavering dedication, discipline, and hard work. He urged young players to focus solely on their training and performance if they aspire to become legends like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, whose achievements once made Pakistan the dominant force in world squash.

The successful conclusion of the PN Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship reflects Pakistan’s continued efforts to revive its historic legacy in squash by hosting international competitions, nurturing emerging talent, and providing athletes with valuable exposure at the highest level.