Pakistan Sports | July 2026 | 3 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- Pakistan defeated Canada 2-0 in the pre-quarterfinals of the World Junior Squash Championships team event.
- Nauman Khan beat Colten McLaughlin in straight games to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead.
- Abdullah Nawaz sealed the tie with a five-game win over Calder Murray.
- The championship is being held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.
- Pakistan will face defending champions Egypt in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Pakistan’s young squash team continued its strong run at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships by beating Canada and moving into the quarterfinals. The 2-0 win showed both control and resilience, with Nauman Khan delivering a straight-games opener before Abdullah Nawaz fought through a tense five-game contest.
| 2-0 Pakistan beat Canada |
3-0 Nauman opening win |
Egypt Quarterfinal opponent |
Pakistan Beat Canada to Enter Last Eight
Pakistan advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships team event after defeating Canada 2-0 in the pre-quarterfinals in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. The result kept Pakistan’s campaign alive in the knockout stage and set up a major quarterfinal clash against defending champions Egypt.
The win was important because Pakistan needed composure away from home against the host nation. Team events can swing quickly when the opening match becomes tight, but Pakistan avoided early pressure through Nauman Khan’s straight-games performance. Abdullah Nawaz then completed the job in a much longer and more demanding second match.
| Context: In the team event, each individual match contributes to the overall tie. Pakistan needed two wins to secure the 2-0 result against Canada. |
Nauman Khan Gives Pakistan a Perfect Start
According to the Pakistan Squash Federation, Nauman Khan gave Pakistan the ideal opening by defeating Canada’s Colten McLaughlin 11-5, 13-11, 11-9. The first game was comfortable, but the second and third games tested his control under pressure. Winning both close games prevented Canada from gaining momentum.
Nauman’s straight-games victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead and put the pressure on Canada in the second match. For Pakistan, this was exactly the start needed in a knockout tie. A clean opening win also helped reduce the risk of the contest going into a deciding third match.
| Match | Pakistan Player | Canada Player | Score |
| 1 | Nauman Khan | Colten McLaughlin | 11-5, 13-11, 11-9 |
| 2 | Abdullah Nawaz | Calder Murray | 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3 |
| Tie result | Pakistan | Canada | 2-0 |
| Next match | Pakistan | Egypt | Quarterfinal |
Abdullah Nawaz Seals Tie in Five Games
Abdullah Nawaz then sealed Pakistan’s place in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought win over Calder Murray. After losing the opening game 9-11, Abdullah responded strongly and took the next two games 11-7 and 11-9. Murray pushed back by winning the fourth 11-6, forcing a decisive fifth game.
The final game showed Abdullah’s strength under pressure. He dominated the decider 11-3 to complete the match and confirm Pakistan’s 2-0 win. The comeback mattered because it showed Pakistan’s depth and mental toughness, especially after the second match became a full five-game battle.
| Match winner: Abdullah Nawaz recovered after losing the first game and finished strongly with an 11-3 score in the decider. |
Egypt Quarterfinal Will Be the Real Test
Pakistan will now face defending champions Egypt in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Egypt remain one of the strongest forces in world junior squash, so Pakistan will need sharp starts, disciplined shot selection and strong physical recovery after the Canada tie. The match will be a major test of Pakistan’s ability to compete with the tournament’s top contenders.
Pakistan’s progress also carries emotional value for a country with a proud squash history. Junior results matter because they show whether the next generation can rebuild Pakistan’s presence in a sport once dominated by national legends. A strong performance against Egypt would be another signal that Pakistan’s young players are ready for bigger stages.
| Watch point: Pakistan’s biggest challenge against Egypt will be sustaining pressure across every match, not just producing one strong individual performance. |
Disclaimer: This article is based on Pakistan Squash Federation updates and publicly reported match details available at the time of writing. Fixtures and timings may change.
