Pakistan’s rising squash star Noor Zaman has stormed into the semi-finals of the Charlottesville Open 2025, after defeating Egypt’s third seed Yahya Elnawasany in straight sets.
The 22-year-old from Peshawar looked in control throughout the quarterfinal, closing each game with identical 11–9 scorelines. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Zaman outpaced and outthought a higher-ranked opponent, showing composure in the crunch moments that often define careers.
Now, the challenge gets steeper. In the semis, he’ll be up against top seed Timothy Brownell of the United States, who’s playing on home soil with the crowd firmly behind him. Brownell is ranked well above Zaman, but given the Pakistani’s recent form, an upset doesn’t look out of reach.
The Charlottesville Open carries a prize pool of US$31,250 and is part of the PSA World Tour calendar. For Zaman, this run is yet another stepping stone in what’s turning into a breakout year. Only weeks ago, he lifted the Nash Cup in Canada, stunning Egypt’s Mohamed Elsirty in the final with a nail-biting 19-17 opening game before sealing the win 11-7, 11-9.
Zaman, the reigning U-23 World Champion, turned professional in 2019 and has steadily climbed the ranks, reaching a career-high of World No. 56 earlier this year. Many in the squash fraternity see him as Pakistan’s brightest hope to revive the nation’s once-dominant presence in world squash.
His semifinal clash against Brownell is set to draw plenty of attention — not just from Pakistani fans but from the global squash community watching to see if a new contender is ready to break through.
