Pakistan’s squash star Noor Zaman has pulled off a big upset. On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, he beat defending champion Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Noor Zaman Silicon Valley Open run. The tournament is a PSA Gold event in Redwood City, California. Gawad is the second seed and the world No. 4, so this was a shock result. Here is the story in simple words.
How the Match Went
Noor, who is 22 years old, won 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6. The match took 52 minutes at Squash Zone. He took the first two games, lost the third, and then closed it out in the fourth. The event offers $143,500 in prize money in the men’s draw.
After the match, Noor said he felt ready both mentally and physically, and that he thinks now is the time for him to beat the top players.
His Road to the Quarter-Finals
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Bransten Ming (USA, wildcard) | Won 3-1 (3-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9) in 41 minutes |
| Round of 16 | Karim Abdel Gawad (Egypt, 2nd seed, world No. 4) | Won 3-1 (11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6) in 52 minutes |
In his first match, Noor lost the opening game 3-11. He then fought back to win the next three games and win the match. That comeback set him up for the win over Gawad.
What About the Other Pakistani Player?
Mohammad Ashab Irfan also played well but went out in the last 16. He lost 3-0 to fifth seed Mohamed ElShorbagy of Egypt. Earlier, Irfan had won his match in straight games against Balazs Farkas of Hungary, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5.
Who Is Noor Zaman?
- He was born in Peshawar and is the grandson of former world champion Qamar Zaman.
- He is the 2025 U-23 world champion.
- He has won five PSA titles.
- He is ranked among the world’s top 35 players, and Dawn says he has climbed into the top 30 during a strong run of form.
- He also won a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, last month.
What Is the PSA Gold Silicon Valley Open?
The PSA World Tour is the main professional squash circuit. Gold events are among its bigger tournaments. This one gives equal prize money to men and women. Squash is getting ready for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, so tournaments like this one are getting more attention.
What Happens Next?
Noor now plays in the quarter-finals. The report I read did not say who he will face, so check the draw for his next opponent and match time. A win would put him in the semi-finals of a major event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Noor Zaman beat?
He beat defending champion and world No. 4 Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt, 3-1.
What was the score?
11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6.
Where is the tournament?
At Squash Zone in Redwood City, California. It is the PSA Gold Silicon Valley Open.
How much is the prize money?
The men’s event has $143,500 in prize money.
Is Ashab Irfan still in the tournament?
No. He lost 3-0 to Mohamed ElShorbagy in the last 16.
Noor Zaman’s win over a defending champion shows how far Pakistan squash has come in recent years. We will update this article after his quarter-final match.
