KARACHI: As Pakistan prepares to hold its biggest squash event in two decades, organisers are hoping that the Karachi Open — with a record prize purse of $243,000 — will be a historic step towards reclaiming Pakistan’s lost dominance in the sport.

“We are striving to reclaim Pakistan’s dominance in squash, and hosting the Karachi Open is a historic step [in this direction],” legendary player Jahangir Khan who is chairman of the Sindh Squash Association, told a news conference on Saturday.

The championship will run from Jan 6 to 11 and the organisers said that there were plans to elevate the event from Professional Squash Association ‘Gold’ to ‘Platinum’ status next year with a prize purse of US$1 million.

“The peaceful conduct of this international tournament will project a positive image of Pakistan,” added Jahangir, who alongside Jansher Khan helped Pakistan dominate global squash during the better part of two decades.

“Practical steps are needed to unearth new talent,” added Jahangir, the Emeritus President of the World Squash Federation.

“I remain committed to promoting squash globally and am available to serve the sport in Pakistan.”

The event, which will take place at the DA Creek Club — the same venue that hosted the World U-23 Championships last year, will see participation from some of the world’s top men’s and women’s players.

However, it was hit by some late withdrawals on Friday as men’s fifth seed Youssef Soliman and women’s fourth seed Salma Hany pulled out due to injury.

Soliman’s withdrawal means Mohamad Zakaria, Aly Abou Eleinen and Eain Yow Ng and Fares Dessouky complete the top eight seeds, who will receive a bye in the first round.

Egypt’s world number four Karim Abdel Gawad — who claimed the Karachi Open title in 2022 — is the top seed, followed by compatriot and seventh-ranked Marwan Elshorbagy.

Youseff Ibrahim is seeded third, ahead of former world number one Mohammed Elshorbagy.

Pakistan will be represented by four players: World Under-23 Champion and 38th-ranked Noor Zaman and world number 47 Mohammad Asad Irfan, while wildcard entries have been handed to former national champions Nasir Iqbal and Tayyab Aslam.

On the women’s side, Hany’s withdrawal has seen Nada Abbas move up to fourth seed. Egypt’s world number four and world junior champion Amina Orfi is the top seed, with Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam seeded second. Fayrouz Aboelkheir is seeded third while two local players Sana Bahadur and Maryam Malik, have received wild card entries.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2026