Despite now combining his squash career with that of a student at a University in the UK, 19-year-old El Shorbagy celebrated his world top 30 debut in July.

14 Omar Mosaad in the semis after a marathon match and then finally being stopped by another Egyptian Mohd Ali Anwar Reda losing 17–15 in the 5th.

It was in November 2011 that the 17-year-old made his first-ever appearance in the World Open, after qualifying the 17-year-old beat Pakistani Farhan Mehboob before upsetting 11th seed and former English national champion Daryl Selby 11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 4-11, 13–11 in 85 minutes and then finally being stopped in the last 16 round by the number three seed and current World number one James Willstrop.

After winning his 2nd British Open Junior title, El Shorbagy began his 2012 campaign in January in the US, after qualifying in his first ever appearance in the Tournament of Champions.

The 18-year-old beat experienced Frenchman Thierry Lincou World Number ten in four games before upsetting World Number 18 Tom Richards 9-11 11-5 6-11 11-6 12–10 in 85 minutes to reach the quarter finals of a Super Series tournament for the first time and to become the first qualifier to reach the quarter finals of the ToC in 10 years.

[5] In December 2023, El Shorbagy won a silver medal with England, at the 2023 Men's World Team Squash Championships in New Zealand.