KARACHI: Pakistan’s Hamza Khan and Nasir Iqbal advanced to the pre-quarterfinals on the opening day of the Pakistan Navy Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship, organised by the Sindh Squash Association at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex.

Former world junior champion Hamza began his campaign with a commanding victory over Shahjahan Khan of the US, winning 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 in just 27 minutes.

Veteran Nasir also secured his place in the last-16, defeating Loic Hafner of Switzerland 11-9, 11-7, 11-6 in 37 minutes.

However, Pakistan’s wildcard entrant Anas Khan suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Hong Kong’s Matthew Lai despite putting up stiff resistance, with game scores of 2-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6.

In other first-round action, Egypt’s Hafez Abdullah defeated Pakistan’s Abdul Saeed in straight games, while compatriot Tolba Ali overcame Duncan Lee of Malaysia.

Brazil’s Gobi Diego secured a victory against Japan’s Endo Tomotaka. Malaysia’s Siu Xian easily defeated Egypt’s Labib Khaled 3-0 and Japan’s Hashimi Naoki claimed victory over Egypt’s Saif Tamer.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026