KARACHI – The Karachi Open International Squash Tournament 2026, featuring the largest prize money in Pakistan’s squash history, will get underway on Tuesday (today) at the DHA Creek Club.
The six-day tournament, a PSA Gold event, carries a total prize purse of $242,000 and will run until January 11. Equal prize money of $120,500 has been allocated for both the men’s and women’s events.
In both categories, the top eight seeded players have been granted direct entry into the second round. On the opening day, eight matches will be played in each event.
In the men’s draw, world No. 4 Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt has been named top seed, while his compatriot and world No. 7 Marwan ElShorbagy is seeded second. Following the withdrawal of Hong Kong’s world No. 42 Henry Leung, Pakistan-born American player Shahjahan Khan has been included in the main draw.
Among the four Pakistani players competing in the men’s event, world Under-23 champion and world No. 38 Noor Zaman, along with world No. 47 Mohammad Asim Irfan, have gained direct entry. Former national champion Nasir Iqbal and Tayyab Aslam have been awarded wildcard entries.
In the women’s event, Egypt’s world No. 3 Amina Orfi has been named top seed, while Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam is seeded second. Two Pakistani players — hearing- and speech-impaired Sana Bahadur and Maryam Malik — have been granted wildcard entries and will compete in the first round.
In first-round matchups, Noor Zaman will face France’s Melvil Scianimanico, Asim Irfan will play Japan’s world No. 56 Rintaro Tsukue, Tayyab Aslam will take on Spain’s world No. 34 Iker Pajares, while Nasir Iqbal is set to face Egypt’s Mostafa Asal.
In the women’s draw, Sana Bahadur will meet Egypt’s world No. 35 Mariam Metwally, while Maryam Malik is scheduled to face Hong Kong’s world No. 34 Sun Yik Chan.
Four Indian male players — Abhay Singh, Amit Tandon, Veer Chotrani, and Velavan Senthilkumar — along with women’s world No. 28 Anahat Singh, will not be participating in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the championship was held at the squash complex of DHA Creek Club under the auspices of the Sindh Squash Association. DHA Administrator Brigadier Raee Asim Mustafa and squash legend Jahangir Khan presented souvenirs to the players.
Foreign players expressed their appreciation for hosting an international squash event with historic prize money in Pakistan and voiced optimism that the tournament would feature exciting and competitive matches.
