CAS International Squash Championship: Zamam claims men’s crown, El Rihany lifts women’s title

By Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Noor Zamam claimed his first ever PSA Tour title, winning the CAS-Serena Hotels International Squash Championship on home soil here on Monday.  The 19-year-old had beaten top seed Ibrahim Elkabbani in the semi-finals and was playing in his fifth tour final, looking to avoid more heartbreak having lost the previous four.  Standing between him and the trophy was fellow Pakistani player and No.2 seed Muhammad Asim Khan, who was targeting more success in the Pakistani capital, having claimed the DHA Islamabad International Squash Championship crown in 2022.  It was Zamam who edged in front, though, taking a hard-fought game one 11-8, laying the foundations for what the watching crowd hoped would be an entertaining final.  Unfortunately for them, and for Khan, proceedings would end abruptly in game two, with the 27-year-old forced to retire through illness at 8-2 down in the second, handing Zamam the trophy.  That men’s final followed an all-Egyptian battle between Nadien Elhammamy and Amina El Rihani for the women’s title.  Elhammamy was targeting a second successive trophy in just her second PSA Tour event, following victory in France a few days ago, but was unable to go all the way this time around.  The 16-year-old took the opening game on a tie break, 13-11, but El Rihany took control from there, racing through game two 11-3 before winning games three and four 11-7, securing her own second career title.

Result: Men’s Final

[4] Noor Zaman (PAK) bt [2] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) 3-0: 11-8, 8-2 retired (18m).

Result: Women’s Final

[4] Amina el Rihany (EGY) bt [7] Nadien Elhammamy (EGY) 13-15, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7 (48m).