KARACHI, 19 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan is set to host another major international squash event as the $82,000 Venus ABC Open Squash Championship begins on Wednesday at Creek Club, Defence Authority Karachi. The five-day championship, which runs until October 25, will feature separate men’s and women’s competitions, with each event offering prize money of $41,000. Foreign players have begun arriving in Pakistan to participate in the tournament, which is included in the international squash calendar. According to the organisers, the top eight players in each event will receive byes in the opening round and advance directly to the pre-quarterfinals. England’s world No. 25 Chris Malik has been named the top seed in the men’s event, followed by Egypt’s world No. 48 Mostafa El Serty as the second seed. In the women’s competition, England’s world No. 27 Lucy Turmel will lead the seeded players, while Egypt’s world No. 46 Amina El Rihany has been placed second. Four Pakistani players — Asim Khan, Abdullah Nawaz, Nasir Iqbal and Azaan Ali Khan — will represent the country in the men’s event. Peshawar’s Sana Bahadur, who is deaf and unable to speak, is the only Pakistani woman to have secured direct entry into the women’s competition. Meanwhile, Pakistani players Reshna Mehboob and Anam Aziz will also take part in the championship through wild-card entries. The event is expected to provide local players with valuable opportunities to compete against international opponents and further promote squash in Pakistan.