Hamza, a teen, brings Pakistan's squash glory back

17-year-old wins Melbourne's World Junior Squash Championship.


KARACHI: The announcer at the Melbourne Sports Center yelled, "Pakistan squash is back," as the dashing Muhammad Hamza Khan achieved one of the biggest victories for his nation by defeating Egypt's Mohamed Zakaria, 15, 3-1, to win the World Junior Squash Championship on Sunday.

The teenage star from Peshawar overcame a set deficit to win 3-1, making history by being the first Pakistani squash player to win the World Squash Trophy in 37 years. Jansher Khan won the championship for the final time in 1986.

Amir Atlas emerged as the lone competitor who reached the competition's final but failed to duplicate Jansher's feat from 1986 to 2023


Hamza played like a man possessed, matching the Egyptian opponent's skillful stroke for stroke. Hamza defeated Zakaria in 71 minutes despite dropping the opening set, 12-10, to keep the title in his hands.

Hamza was filled with emotion at the presenting ceremony and he remarked, "I am really delighted, thanks to Allah, thanks to my coach, and thanks to my parents.

Hamza on the cusp of history

When the host questioned him about the strain of the expectations from his family and the country, he found it difficult to articulate his thoughts. "My English is not very good," he replied. But winning this title has me incredibly happy.

Hamza was given the go-ahead to continue speaking when the presenter said, "Your English is very, very good."   Hamza hails from a family of legends that include British Open winner Qamar Zaman and former world number 14 Shahid Zaman



"I am overjoyed; Hamza has accomplished a tremendous deal. Hamza's father Niazullah said, "I was chatting to him and he was crying with pleasure and joy because he just could not believe that he had won the title.

Niazullah continued, "I feel this is a result of Hamza's talent, hard work, and the prayers of the Pakistani nation," as he spoke to The Express Tribune from Cherat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Niazullah's ambition came fulfilled when Hamza was named the new junior champion. It followed a very challenging year in which Hamza was given a 13-week suspension from the Professional Squash Association in February for skipping a couple international competitions for which he had submitted entry

Junior's voyage of Hamza around the world




 Before the competition, Tahir coached Hamza for three months; in the final month before the event, the army coach took Hamza under his wing.

Tahir noted that Hamza possesses the same outstanding ability to alter the game of squash as the legendary Ramy Ashour of Egypt. Hamza is incredibly talented. the same quality Ramy possessed. He will alter the game because of his inherent talent and strength.

Hamza's father, Niazullah, stated that the boy must participate in professional competitions while he is in Australia, such as the Costa North Coast Open Coffs Harbour 2023, which will start on August 16.

We are ensuring that he stays in Australia because it is extremely difficult for us to make travel arrangements at this time.  

 The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) meanwhile gave Hamza its highest praise for his outstanding achievement in the World Junior Squash Championship in Melbourne.

In a letter to the head of the Pakistan Squash Federation, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar, POA President Lt Syed Arif Hasan (retd) and Secretary Muhammad Khalid Mehmood praised Hamza's coach, writing, "Well done Hamza."

Lauds for Hamza's outstanding accomplishment also came from other countries.

the World Squash Federation (WSF), the sport's international governing body, shared a video of his winning moment and declared on Twitter, "Pakistani squash is back!"

Hamza Khan received a Rs. 1 million announcement from Peshawar Zalmi. The super league team claimed that "the success of Hamza Khan" made the entire country proud.

The Nawan Kili neighborhood of Peshawar is where Hamza resides.