PAKISTAN SQUASH STAR ASHAB IRFAN CLINCHES JOHNS CREEK OPEN TITLE IN US WITH 3-0 VICTORY IN QUARTER FINALS AND 3-1 VICTORY IN THE FINALS—August-18-2025
Pakistan squash received a major boost when young talent Ashab Irfan claimed the Johns Creek Open 2025 title in the United States on Monday, marking an inspiring achievement for the country’s sports community. The young star capped off a stunning campaign by overcoming Malaysia’s Nathan Chua in the final.
Pakistan squash player Ashab Irfan poses with the championship trophy after clinching the Johns Creek Open in the United States on August 18, 2025. — Reporter
By SPORTS DESK
After conceding the opening game, Irfan staged a powerful comeback, winning three straight games in just 40 minutes. The final scoreline stood at 8-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-6, underscoring his dominance on court and reinforcing the bright future of Pakistan squash.
The Johns Creek Open, with a prize pool of $12,000, featured top international contenders, but Irfan’s stellar form made him the standout of the tournament. This victory also marked his third PSA title of 2025, a strong signal of resurgence for Pakistan squash on the global stage.
Just a day earlier, Irfan had booked his place in the final after defeating Brazil’s Diogo Gobbi 3-1 in a hard-fought 53-minute semi-final clash, with game scores of 11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-5. Meanwhile, fellow Pakistani player and top-seed Asim Khan fell to Malaysia’s Nathan Chua in the other semi-final, losing 3-1 (11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9), a result that shocked many followers of Pakistan squash.
The quarterfinals also highlighted the strength of Pakistan squash players. Asim battled past Egypt’s Omar El Kattan in a four-game thriller (10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 13-11), while Irfan swept Mexico’s Cesar Segundo 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-3) with his trademark attacking play.
Both Ashab and Asim had reached the last eight after convincing second-round wins. Asim overcame Egypt’s Kareem Badawi 3-1 (11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8), while Ashab crushed USA’s Christopher Gordon in just 20 minutes (11-2, 11-4, 11-4), showcasing the speed and precision that is bringing attention back to Pakistan squash.
Not all results went Pakistan’s way. Seventh seed Ahsan Ayaz lost a gripping five-game battle to Omar El Kattan (11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11) in 58 minutes. Similarly, Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim was eliminated in the round of 16 after falling to Brazil’s Gobbi 3-1 (9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6), despite starting strongly.
This triumph, however, ensured that Pakistan squash once again made headlines on the international stage, rekindling hopes of reviving the nation’s golden legacy in the sport.
Experts noted that the victory was more than just a personal milestone; it was also a powerful statement about the potential of Pakistan squash. Despite limited resources and declining facilities, Irfan’s triumph showed that the country still has the ability to produce world-class athletes.
While fans celebrated the success of Pakistan squash, analysts also voiced concern about the long-standing neglect of the sport’s infrastructure. They argued that this victory should act as a wake-up call for authorities to reinvest in academies, training, and grassroots development to ensure sustainable growth.
On social media, the excitement surrounding Pakistan squash was evident as players, fans, and former champions hailed Irfan’s win as a symbol of resilience. Many expressed hope that this momentum will help revive the country’s historic legacy in squash and inspire young athletes to aim for international titles.
For further reading on Pakistan squash and global tournaments, check Geo News, PSA World Tour, and The Express Tribune Sports.
Pakistan Squash at Johns Creek Open – Match Summary
| Stage | Player(s) | Opponent | Result / Scoreline | Duration | Impact on Pakistan Squash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Ashab Irfan | Nathan Chua (Malaysia) | Won 3-1 (8-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-6) | 40 mins | Secured title, showed strong comeback |
| Semi-final | Ashab Irfan | Diogo Gobbi (Brazil) | Won 3-1 (11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-5) | 53 mins | Advanced to final, high resilience |
| Semi-final | Asim Khan (Top Seed) | Nathan Chua (Malaysia) | Lost 1-3 (11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9) | – | Surprise defeat, setback for Pakistan squash |
| Quarterfinal | Ashab Irfan | Cesar Segundo (Mexico) | Won 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-3) | – | Dominant win, highlighted aggressive play |
| Quarterfinal | Asim Khan | Omar El Kattan (Egypt) | Won 3-1 (10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 13-11) | 46 mins | Hard-fought victory for Pakistan squash |
| Round of 16 | Ashab Irfan | Christopher Gordon (USA) | Won 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-4) | 20 mins | Fast-paced win, clinical finish |
| Round of 16 | Asim Khan | Kareem Badawi (Egypt) | Won 3-1 (11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8) | 45 mins | Solid entry into quarterfinals |
| Round of 16 | Ahsan Ayaz (7th Seed) | Omar El Kattan (Egypt) | Lost 2-3 (11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11) | 58 mins | Narrow loss, missed quarterfinal chance |
| Round of 16 | Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim | Diogo Gobbi (Brazil) | Lost 1-3 (9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6) | 47 mins | Early exit despite strong start |
Watch Ashab Irfan winning South Australian Open:
or watch Ibrahim vs Ashab Irfan — Texas Open Feb 2025
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