Pakistan’s top squash player Nasir Iqbal sets sights on LA Games

Pakistan's seasoned squash player, Nasir Iqbal, targets 2028 LA Olympics qualification, focusing on improving his ranking to secure his spot.

"The Olympics is a big dream, and mentally, I’m ready," he told Nukta. "But improving my ranking is essential. Although I’m currently ranked lower, I can make progress within six months if I consistently participate in tournaments,” Nasir said.

Nasir has set a target to reach the top 70 by year’s end.

"I recently won four PSA tournaments in Australia. My ranking had dropped, so three months ago, I financed my trip to Australia, which went well," he shared.

"I spent Rs 1.2 million out of pocket for that tour," he added.

Nasir Iqbal after his win at the Bega Open Squash Championship in Australia.Instagram/nasiriqbal777

He is banking on upcoming tournaments in the USA to boost his ranking.

"There are many events lined up, and once registration opens, I’ll choose tournaments. The more events I play in, the faster I’ll progress in rankings, which is crucial to qualify for the 2028 Olympics," he said.

Fitness is key

As he ages, Nasir realizes that fitness is key if he has to compete at the highest level.

"With time, maintaining fitness becomes more important since squash is physically demanding. We lack recovery facilities, but I’m working hard. Earlier, I trained five hours daily; now, it’s seven to eight hours to stay fit," he explained.

"After morning warm-up, I practice on the court for two hours, spend two and a half hours in the gym, rest, and then do three hours of match practice in the evening, ending with recovery routines like stretching, massage, and proper diet. Though getting organic milk and eggs is tough, I try for quality recovery," he shared. "When I feel I haven’t fully recovered due to diet or sleep issues, I take one or two days off."

Challenges

Without a physiotherapist, Nasir and other athletes assist each other with massages.

"If there’s muscle strain, we help each other out," he said.

Nasir also revealed that finding high-level training partners is also challenging.

"I don’t have a single top-notch training partner, so I often ask senior players to train with me, even if it’s one against two. No one here matches the pace of the world’s top 20-30 players, which is essential for proper practice. Playing against two players gives me a bit more pace," Nasir explained.

Nasir is currently being coached by his brother Tahir Iqbal, also a former squash player. However, he hopes to train abroad for a few months to increase his pace and strengthen his Olympic bid.

"I’d love to, but it depends on sponsorship. If I get support, I’ll pursue it," he said.

He added that while he has connections with top squash academies like those of former players Gregory Gaultier and James Willstrop, financial constraints prevent him from training there.

"It would be beneficial to train with world-class players, which would help improve my speed, shot-making, and fitness," Nasir said.

Future plans

He estimates he can compete at the top level for another six years.

"My fitness may not be on par with the world’s top 20 or 30 players, but I can still beat them, meaning I have potential. If I maintain fitness and keep competing internationally, I could remain competitive for the next six years," he said.

However, maintaining fitness is challenging when there are massive breaks in between tournaments.

"After winning four out of five events in Australia, I missed other tournaments in France, South Africa, and elsewhere due to financial limitations. When you have breaks between events, staying in peak shape becomes hard. Lack of sponsorship in Pakistan is a big hurdle," he admitted.

Pakistan team won the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Team Squash Championship.Instagram/nasiriqbal777

Nasir's career faced a significant setback when he was banned for four years due to doping during the 2016 South Asian Games in India.

"It was a tough period, mentally and physically," he recalled. "I was in the top 30 and the ban hit hard, but I stayed strong and made a comeback."

Despite receiving coaching offers from Sweden, England, and the USA during that time, Nasir chose to continue playing for Pakistan.

"I want to play more squash for my country, and I’ll keep going," he concluded.