KARACHI: Pakistan young stars Noor Zaman and Hamza Khan continued their sublime form as they confirmed their quarter-final berth in the Under-23 World Squash Championship here at the DHA Creek Club on Monday.

Noor, second seed in the tournament, brushed aside Poland’s Jakob Pytlowany 11-4, 11-5, 11-3 while Hamza delivered an equally impressive performance to rout Will Salter of Britain 11-5, 11-6, 11-5.

Next up for Noor is France’s Melvil Scianimanico — who downed Damian Groenewald of South Africa in straight games — and Hamza will vie against Malaysia Ameeshenraj Chandaran for the semi-final spot on Tuesday.

Chandaran staged a comeback to beat Vietnam’s Matthew Lam 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 in their round-of-16 clash.

In the consolation bracket, Mohammad Ammad prevailed over Pouya Shafiefard of Iran 13-11, 9-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-7 after a grueling one hour and four minutes match.

Ammad will now face Romania’s Radu Stefan Pena in the consolation quarter-final.

Top-seed of the tournament Ibrahim Elkabbani was pushed hard by Matteo Carrouget of France but the Egyptian won 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 to advance into the last-eight.

Elkabbani will face Rowan Damming in the quarter-final as the Dutch won against Malaysian Duncan Lee, who retired while being two sets down.

Elkabbani’s compatriot Kareem El Torkey also surged ahead in the quarter-final with a thumping 11-4, 11-3, 12-10 win over Vietnam’s Lap Au.

Switzerland’s David Bernet completed the last-eight lineup following his triumph over Hugo Lafuente Jean of Spain 9-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-3.

In the women’s draw, Malak Khafagy, Xin Ying Yee, Akari Midorikawa, Chan Sin Yuk, Heylie Fung, Aira Azman, Fayrouz Abouelkheir and Tse Yee Lam Toby advanced into the quarter-finals with convincing wins.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2025