KEY POINTS
- Sohail Adnan won the U-15 Squash Championship in Scotland.
- This victory follows his earlier 2025 triumph at the Asian Under-13 Junior Squash Championship.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani youth Muhammad Sohail Adnan won the Under-15 Squash Championship in Scotland, defeating China’s Yuan Xi in straight sets, signalling a fresh surge of hope for the country’s squash revival.
The triumph was spearheaded by a brilliant performance from Sohail Adnan of Bahawalpur, who stormed to victory in the final without dropping a set.
The talented teenager dominated China’s Yuan Xi with a decisive 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 win, securing the title and writing a glorious new chapter for Pakistan’s burgeoning junior squash circuit.
From Asian glory to European conquest
Adnan’s victory in Scotland is not an isolated feat but part of a remarkable breakout year.
Earlier in 2025, he announced his arrival on the international stage by winning the 32nd Asian Under-13 Junior Squash Championship in South Korea.
His momentum has continued unabated. Fresh off his Scottish triumph, Adnan is currently competing in the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship, where he has advanced to the semifinals.
In a commanding quarterfinal display, he dispatched India’s Abhad Singh 3-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-4), showcasing his composure and technical prowess.
Pakistan Army’s “Young Talent Hunt”
Officials point to structured development programmes as the bedrock of such success.
Adnan is a product of the ‘Young Talent Hunt Programme’ run by the Corps of Bahawalpur, a Pakistan Army initiative designed to identify and nurture sporting talent from across the country, including smaller cities.
“Coaching and supporting young participants is absolutely necessary,” stated an official associated with Pakistani squash.
The programme is widely praised for providing structured training and high-level competition opportunities, creating a pipeline for international success.
Ray of hope for a storied sport
Pakistan boasts a rich squash heritage, having produced legendary world champions like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.
Recent years have seen a concerted effort to rebuild that legacy from the grassroots upward.
Adnan’s consecutive continental and international victories are being hailed as a significant beacon of hope for this revival.
His success demonstrates that with the right support system, talent from anywhere in Pakistan can shine on the world stage.
The nation now watches with eager anticipation, hoping that with continued guidance, Muhammad Sohail Adnan can follow in the footsteps of the greats and help restore Pakistan to its former supremacy in the sport of squash.
