Former Pakistan international squash player Mansoor Zaman has expressed strong confidence in the abilities of rising star Noor Zaman, stating that the young athlete possesses all the necessary technical attributes to break into the world's top ten rankings in the near future.
Speaking in an exclusive interview from Peshawar, the two-time Asian champion praised the physical and technical capabilities of the current World Number 34, while emphasizing that key adjustments in match management and physical conditioning remain essential for his continued progression.
Mansoor highlighted that while Noor demonstrates exceptional shot-making capability alongside superb court coverage, his tendency to rush rallies often leads to avoidable errors. According to the veteran, developing greater tactical patience is vital when competing against the world's most elite professionals.
The former World Number Eleven explained that trying to finish exchanges prematurely causes a noticeable lapse in concentration. By learning to control the pace of matches and maintaining composure under pressure, the younger player can significantly elevate his competitive level.
Physical conditioning was identified as another crucial area for development by the veteran player. Pointing out that stamina levels must match the demands of the professional circuit, Mansoor insisted that targeted physical training will unlock the youngster's full potential.
The assessment follows an encouraging campaign by Noor at the Silicon Valley Open, a Professional Squash Association Gold tournament held in Redwood City, California. The Pakistani competitor reached the quarter-finals of the prestigious event before exiting.
Opening his tournament campaign in the United States, Noor secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Malaysia's Beng Hee Ming. That initial success set up a high-profile second-round encounter against Egypt's Karim Gawad, a former world number two who entered the tournament ranked fourth.
In one of the standout results of his career, Noor produced an exceptional performance to defeat Gawad. He claimed the opening two games by margins of 11-9 and 11-7, and although he dropped the third 11-9, he bounced back convincingly to take the fourth 11-6.
Mansoor described the upset victory over the Egyptian star as a major milestone for the rising talent. Such high-profile wins are expected to elevate his ranking and subsequently yield more favorable tournament draws in upcoming international competitions.
Following his victory over Gawad, Noor advanced to the quarter-final stage where he faced fifth seed Mohamed ElShorbagy of Egypt. Despite capturing the opening game, the Pakistani player ultimately succumbed to the experienced campaigner 3-1.
ElShorbagy demonstrated his resilience by recovering from the initial setback to secure the next three games, prevailing with set scores of 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, and 11-8 to halt the underdog's impressive run in California.
Reflecting on that quarter-final exit, Mansoor noted that experience remains the primary differentiator between rising contenders and established top-ten competitors who frequently battle against elite opposition on the global circuit.
The former top-tier player pointed out that while Noor shares the technical pedigree of a world champion, regular exposure to high-pressure situations against top-ten opponents will naturally bridge the experience gap over time.
Noor's recent development also includes representing his country on major multi-sport stages, having formed part of the Pakistan squad that claimed a commendable silver medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya.
Mansoor reiterated that sustained hard work and dedication will make the ultimate objective entirely achievable, urging the youngster to maintain his focus as he transitions into a fixture among the sport's leading competitors.
The endorsement from a seasoned figure like Mansoor underscores the growing optimism surrounding Pakistan squash, with domestic observers eagerly following Noor's trajectory as he continues to test himself against the world's elite on the PSA Tour.
Analyzing the specific technical traits that make Noor a formidable opponent, Mansoor pointed out that his reach and court movement are already at an exceptionally high standard. These natural attributes allow him to retrieve difficult balls and stay competitive against seasoned campaigners.
However, the former World Number Eleven cautioned that relying solely on physical speed without strategic pacing can drain energy reserves prematurely. Balancing explosive movement with controlled tactical construction remains the next hurdle for the rising star.
The victory over Karim Gawad serves as clear evidence that Noor can compete with and defeat former world champions when he executes his game plan effectively. Maintaining that level of tactical discipline across entire tournaments is the challenge ahead.
As the squash community looks toward future Professional Squash Association fixtures, performances in events like the Silicon Valley Open demonstrate that Pakistani representation at the highest levels of the sport continues to develop positively.
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