At only 13 years old, Mahnoor Ali enters the squash court and plays with the quiet confidence of a seasoned athlete. On a Saturday in Karachi, she made history becoming the youngest ever Pakistani citizen to qualify for an international squash competition, a glorious achievement that joins her alongside the players she grew up idolizing.
Mahnoor qualified for the 3rd Chief of Naval Staff International PSA Satellite Championship ($3,000), held at the RK JK Squash Complex, a venue known for local and international competitions featuring prominent players. But amid all these big names, one name stood out a teenage girl with sharp focus, quiet composure, and perennially game-changing talent.
She did more than just qualify she commanded the spotlight. Every serve and every return contained the poise and maturity of a player much beyond her years. Her patience, movement, and tactical excellence astonished coaches who had been in the game for some time. Her game is not rushed; it is considered every stroke is a demonstration that she is more than capable of being on this stage.
Earlier this year, Mahnoor won silver at the 32nd Asian Junior Squash Championships in Gimcheon, South Korea in the Girls’ U-13 competition. As 3/4 seed, she took control of the draw, easing past India’s Anika Kalanki in the quarter-finals 11-6, 11-2, 11-3, and showcased a remarkable performance through the semi-final and final for the silver medal.
Mahnoor is at ease under pressure. She picks her shots without fear and is composed in all situations. For a young athlete, this is not only skill, but also temperament that champions possess.
For years – decades in fact – Pakistan has searched for a new spark in squash after the games of Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan. Could that spark be rekindling with Mahnoor? Coaches from Karachi commend both her discipline and natural ability. She trains with quiet intensity, learns with purpose, and adapts faster than almost everyone.
Her motions were elegant but deliberate; her drops were methodical and sure. The assembly at RK JK Squash Complex sensed it too that feeling of experiencing something Idiosyncratic unfold before us.
Mahnoor’s qualifications are not simply an individual achievement; they are a poignant reminder that Pakistan’s squash history is not disintegrating it is living.
Then, she came off the court after her historic victory into a quiet celebration. Just shake a hand, show a smile, and walk with ease; the demeanor of someone who understands this is the beginning.
She never looked dazed to be there. She looked prepared to stay.
Via: Tapmad
Writer by Muzamil Ahmad
