ABBOTTABAD/MELBOURNE, April 22, 2026 — Young Pakistani players from Abbottabad delivered a strong showing in international junior squash events in Melbourne, with Nimra Rehman reaching the final and Ahmed Safwan advancing to the semi-final stage.
The performances came during the Oceania Junior Open and the Australian Junior Open (Platinum category), highlighting the progress of emerging Pakistani talent on the international squash circuit.
Nimra Rehman produced a series of consistent performances to reach the final, registering back-to-back victories in the knockout rounds. She defeated a highly ranked Australian junior player, seeded second in the tournament, in the quarter-finals, and followed it with a straight-games win in the semi-final.
Ahmed Safwan also advanced deep into the competition, reaching the semi-finals after a closely contested quarter-final match in which he defeated the tournament’s third seed 3-2.
Training and background
Both players are trained under the supervision of their father and coach Rehman Gul, who has played a key role in their development at the junior level.
The family has an established presence in squash, with their elder brother, Muhammad Shamileen, having achieved world number one ranking in the under-19 category in 2025 and currently competing on the professional circuit.
International exposure
This marks one of the early international appearances for Nimra Rehman and Ahmed Safwan, who competed in two major junior tournaments in Australia. Their performances are seen as part of a broader trend of Pakistani players gaining exposure and experience at the global level.
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