ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Hamza Khan trumped his Egyptian rival to win the 2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championship, on Sunday.

He became the first Pakistani to win the championship since Jansher Khan’s victory 37 years ago in 1986.

In the men’s final at Melbourne Sports Centres, Khan triumphed over 15-year-old Mohamed Zakaria, who would have become the youngest-ever winner of the men’s event. The Egyptian looked set to rewrite history after clinching the opening game 12-10.

He was rampant in the second game as well, racing to a 5-0 lead as Mr Khan struggled to maintain composure.

Hamza becomes first Pakistani to grab victory since Jansher in 1986

The 17-year-old Pakistani then turned the game on its head and mounted a brilliant fightback with his devastating attack.

He came back from a game down to level the match with a 14-12 victory in the second game, before taking lead with an 11-3 victory in the third game.

He kept attacking relentlessly in the fourth game and ended Pakistan’s 37-year wait for the trophy with an 11-6 win.

Overwhelmed with emotion, an ecstatic Khan collapsed on the floor as his support staff entered the court to congratulate the young winner.

In his post-match interview, he thanked his coach, managers and parents who he said “support me every time”.

Later in the women’s final, 16-year-old Amina Orfi from Egypt convincingly defeated Malaysia’s Aira Azman. She won the match after winning all three games with the scores of 11-8, 11-5, 11-1.

Felicitations

Hamza Khan’s victory earned him plaudits from political leaders, sportspersons, celebrities and other officials.

The president, the prime minister, foreign minister, chief of the air staff and Pakistan Squash Federation president congratulated the young champion.

In a tweet, President Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan had an unprecedented and yet unmatched supremacy in squash.

“I had personally watched many finals among our giants. After a long time a resurgent ray of hope. Well done.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the new champion for winning the title for Pakistan after a gap of 37 years.

He said the win reminded him of Jansher Khan’s triumph in the 1986 World Squash championship, according to a press release by the PM Office Media Wing.

The prime minister also extended his congratulations to Hamza Khan’s parents, coach, teammates and the nation on the historic achievement and said the entire nation felicitated the young champion for raising the national flag high.

He expressed the hope that in future, Khan would once again make Pakistan invincible in the game of squash.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan also showered praise on the young champion.

In a tweet, he said: “Congratulations to Hamza Khan for winning the World Junior Squash Championship for Pakistan after 37 years. The whole nation is proud of his achievement.”

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2023