KARACHI: Pakistan’s rising squash star Ashab Irfan advanced to his first-ever PSA World Tour final after a remarkable victory over England’s second seed Adrian Waller in the semifinals of the Richardson Wealth Men’s Vancouver Open 2025, held in Vancouver on Sunday.
Seeded fourth, Ashab showcased resilience and tactical brilliance throughout the intense 68-minute encounter, ultimately triumphing 3-2 with game scores of 8-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-5, and 11-8. His performance demonstrated not only his physical endurance but also his mental composure against a seasoned opponent.
The win marks a defining moment in the 21-year-old’s career, as he continues to impress on the global circuit alongside fellow Pakistani player Noor Zaman. Both young athletes have been spearheading Pakistan’s resurgence in international squash, a sport in which the country once dominated the world stage.
The Richardson Wealth Men’s Open is a PSA World Tour Copper event with a total prize purse of $31,250, attracting several top international competitors.
After dropping the first game, Ashab recovered strongly to take the second. Although Waller regained the lead in the third, Ashab’s tenacity shone through as he controlled the rallies and capitalized on his opponent’s errors to claim the next two games and secure a memorable victory.
In the other semifinal, England’s sixth seed Sam Todd outlasted Egypt’s top seed Yahya Elnawasany in another thrilling five-game contest, winning 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9 in 80 minutes.
Ashab Irfan will now face Sam Todd in the championship final, where victory would not only earn him his maiden PSA title but also propel him into the top 50 of the PSA world squash rankings — a remarkable achievement for one of Pakistan’s brightest young talents.
