Pakistani squash sensation Noor Zaman gave former world champion Mohamed Elshorbagy a run for his money by taking the Englishman to five intense matches in the quarter-finals of the Karachi Open before being beaten and ending Pakistan’s streak at the international tournament.
Noor got off to a tough start in the first match against the former world number one, who wowed the crowd with exceptional shots that the 21-year-old Pakistani couldn’t keep up with, winning 11-2.
But Noor had the advantage of a home crowd cheering him on for every handful of points he won, finding his way in the second game which Elshorbagy won 11-8.
It was in the third match that Noor finally found his momentum and beat Elshorbagy 11-6 to stay in contention for a place in the semi-finals. He left the court to “shabash Noor!” » from the crowd of sports enthusiasts and former athletes on the glass court of the Creek Club.
Noor had begun to loosen Elshorbagy’s grip in what otherwise appeared to be a secure three-game victory for the current world number four and fourth seed in the tournament.
The two were neck and neck in the fourth game before Noor took the lead with some tactical shots just above the box that stunned Elshorbagy. Karachi had come, albeit in a small crowd, to witness world-class action, and the senior and junior world champions lived up to their expectations.
Fists brandished, sweating, his green t-shirt covered with his sponsors, Noor was in his element. His previous two matches in the tournament were also five games, so Noor was no stranger to intense matches and dramatic comebacks.
The fifth match was within everyone’s reach. Elshorbagy matched all points taken by Noor; Noor closed down any lead Elshorbagy took. Noor pulled to 6-5 as the ball got stuck between Elshorbagy’s racket and the wall, but the Englishman got his revenge by winning a superb rally that saw the two players look at each other and exchange pleasantries.
The two continued to move closer to the final before Elshorbagy changed gears one last time and ended the match 11-9 as Noor slid to the ground but couldn’t catch the ball quickly enough.
The two embraced and Elshorbagy appeared to offer advice to Noor while the crowd gave them a standing ovation until Noor left the field, and Elshorbagy stayed for questions from the commentator.
“I had heard about (Noor) and was told to watch out for him. I never played against him, but he passed me in the second game and I had to be careful,” Elshorbagy said.
“I’ve been playing for a long time, I’ve been playing juniors, I’ve faced a lot of talented Pakistani players, but I’ve never seen someone as focused as Noor; he’s always watching and learning to improve,” he said as the crowd nodded and Noor watched quietly from outside the field.
“It’s great for Pakistan to have someone coming in, you need another world champion soon since you’re a squash nation, and it’s very exciting for Pakistan to have Noor.”
