Karachi is set to welcome top international squash talent as Pakistan host a major event after more than two decades.
The PSA World Tour Gold tournament, the Karachi Open, is scheduled to take place from January 6 to 11, 2026, at the DA Creek Club.
The tournament marks a significant return of high-profile squash to Pakistan and promises thrilling action for fans of the sport.
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The Karachi Open carries a total prize fund of $243,000, equally divided between the men’s and women’s competitions, making it the country’s most valuable squash tournament in 23 years.
The last event of similar stature in the country was the 2003 World Open in Lahore, which offered $175,000 in prize money.
Earlier this year, Karachi also hosted the World Under-23 Squash Championship with a $60,000 prize pool.
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Top-ranked players from around the globe are confirmed to compete, including five of the world’s top 10 men.
Egypt’s former world champion and current World No. 5 Karim Gawad has been named the top seed.
Karim Gawad is aiming for his third title in Pakistan, having previously won the Pakistan Open in 2018 and the Karachi Open in 2022.
With an eight-match winning streak in Karachi, he enters the tournament as one of the favourites, followed by World No. 7 Marwan El Shorbagy and World No. 6 Youssef Ibrahim.
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World No. 9 Mohamed ElShorbagy, World No. 10 Youssef Soliman, and World No. 11 Mohamed Zakaria will also feature in the men’s draw.
Homegrown talent will represent Pakistan with players including World U23 champion Noor Zaman, Ashab Irfan, Tayyab Aslam, and Nasir Iqbal competing in the men’s category, giving fans the chance to cheer on local heroes.
In the women’s competition, Egypt’s World No. 3 and reigning World Junior Champion Amina Orfi will lead the field as top seed, while Malaysia’s World No. 6 Sivasangari Subramaniam and Egypt’s World No. 9 Fayrouz Abouelkheir are seeded second and third, respectively.
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The Karachi Open promises a week of world-class squash, with fans looking forward to high-intensity matches, thrilling rallies, and the chance to see international champions compete on home soil.
Organizers hope the tournament will not only revive Pakistan’s squash legacy but also inspire the next generation of athletes in the country.
