Ashab Irfan Shines in South Australia
Pakistan’s rising squash star Ashab Irfan added another prestigious title to his name on Saturday by claiming the 2025 South Australian Open Squash Championship with a dominant display in the final.
The tournament’s top seed, Irfan delivered on expectations, defeating Malaysia’s Duncan Lee in straight sets: 11-8, 12-10, 11-9 — a performance that further cements his status as one of Pakistan’s most promising players on the international squash scene.
From the opening rally, Irfan showcased composure and tactical precision, keeping Lee under constant pressure. Despite a spirited challenge from the Malaysian in the second and third games, Irfan’s sharp decision-making and clinical execution proved decisive.
The straight-sets win capped a flawless campaign in Adelaide, highlighting Irfan’s maturity and poise beyond his years. On the women’s side, Hong Kong’s Toby Tse claimed victory over Japan’s Risa Sugimoto in a five-game thriller: 9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8, 11-8.
Ashab Irfan’s triumph marks a significant milestone in his career and signals a hopeful resurgence for Pakistani squash, a sport once dominated globally by legends like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan. As Irfan continues his upward momentum, expectations grow for him to break into bigger PSA tournaments and climb the international rankings in the near future.