Jansher Khan
Pakistani squash player (born 1969)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jansher Khan PP SI HI NI (Pashto: جان شیر خان; born 15 June 1969)[4][5][6] is a former Pakistani professional squash player. During his career, he won the World Open eight times and the British Open six times.[7] He was the world's number-one-ranked player from January 1988 to January 1998. He was unbeaten for 81 matches from 1990 to 1996; one of the longest unbeaten runs in professional squash history.[8]
Advisor to the President, Pakistan Squash Federation (2010–2012, 2015–2018)[1]
Head Squash Coach, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2020–2023)[2]
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Native name | جان شیر خان |
| Born | 15 June 1969 |
| Occupations | National Head Squash Coach, Pakistan Squash Federation (2010–2011)
Advisor to the President, Pakistan Squash Federation (2010–2012, 2015–2018)[1] Head Squash Coach, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2020–2023)[2] |
| Years active | 1986–2002 |
| Employer | Pakistan Air Force[3] |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Spouse | Violet Sough (m. 1986; div. 1989)
Naseem (m. 1989) |
| Children | 3, including Kamran Khan, Ayaz SherKhan, and Ali SherKhan |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Sport | Squash |
| 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | |
Turned pro | 1986 |
| Retired | 2001 |
| Achievements and titles | |
World finals | 8 |
Highest world ranking | No. 1 (January 1988 – January 1998) |
| Updated on 8 January 2024 | |
Career
Khan's professional career began in 1986, when he won the World Junior Squash Championships in Australia at the age of 16.[9] He challenged the dominance of fellow Pakistani Jahangir Khan, who had been undefeated for the previous five years. His first major senior title was the Hong Kong Open in 1987. That same year, he won his first World Open Title, defeating Australia's Chris Dittmar in the finals. Early in his career, Khan was affiliated with the Pakistan Air Force.[10]
Jansher Khan's main rival was Jahangir Khan. Between 1986 and 1991, they collectively won 14 World Open and 16 British Open titles. Of the 36 tournament matches between them, Jansher won 19 and Jahangir won 17.[11][12]
| Year | Total Matches | Won by Jansher Khan | Won by Jahangir Khan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1987 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| 1988 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
| 1989 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| 1990 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 36 | 19 | 17 |
Khan retired from professional squash in 2001, citing burnout and injuries.[13]
Post-retirement
Health
In late 2011, Khan was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.[14] In 2020, after suffering from severe back pain, he underwent two successful back surgeries at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.[8]
Following his surgery, Khan advised younger players on managing injuries.
"I would advise today's young players that along with their hard training they must take special care of their back, knee and groin injuries and treat minor ailments timely to avoid serious problems in future."[8]
Coaching
In September 2020, at the request of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan, Jansher Khan joined the Directorate General of Sports of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as head coach.[15] Upon his appointment, he stated, "I will do my best to fill the gap created in the game of squash and make the country a new world champion."[2]
Awards and recognition
Jansher Khan is the first Pakistani player to win four major national honours.[16]
- Pride of Performance awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1988[17]
- Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1993[17]
- Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1997[17]
- Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) awarded by the President of Pakistan in 2023[18]
Major finals
World Open
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1987 | Birmingham, England |  Chris Dittmar | 9–5, 9–4, 4–9, 9–6 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 9–2, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1989 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Chris Dittmar | 7–15, 6–15, 15–4, 15–11, 15–10 |
| 1990 | Toulouse, France | 15–8, 17–15, 13–15, 15–5 | ||
| 1992 | Johannesburg, South Africa | 15–11, 15–9, 10–15, 15–6 | ||
| 1993 | Karachi, Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 14–15, 15–9, 15–5, 15–5 | |
| 1994 | Barcelona, Spain |  Peter Marshall | 10–15, 15–11, 15–8, 15–4 | |
| 1995 | Nicosia, Cyprus | Del Harris | 15–10, 17–14, 16–17, 15–8 | |
| 1996 | Karachi, Pakistan | Rodney Eyles | 15–13, 17–15, 11–15, 15–3 |
British Open
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 1987 | London, England | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 9–0, 9–5 |
| 1991 | 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0 | |||
| Winner | 1992 | Chris Robertson | 9–7, 10–9, 9–5 | |
| 1993 | Chris Dittmar | 9–6, 9–5, 6–9, 9–2 | ||
| 1994 | Brett Martin | 9–1, 9–0, 9–10, 9–1 | ||
| 1995 | Cardiff, Wales | Peter Marshall | 15–4, 15–4, 15–5 | |
| 1996 | Rodney Eyles | 15–13, 15–8, 15–10 | ||
| 1997 |  Peter Nicol | 17–15, 9–15, 15–12, 8–15, 15–8 | ||
| Runner-up | 1998 | Birmingham, England | 17–16, 15–4, 15–5 |
Hong Kong Open
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1987 | Hong Kong | Chris Dittmar | 9–6, 9–2, 9–5 |
| 1988 | 15–11, 9–15, 15–6, 12–15, 15–1 | |||
| 1989 | 15–8, 16–17, 15–2, 15–6 | |||
| 1990 | Chris Robertson | 15–6, 14–15, 15–10, 15–5 | ||
| 1991 | Tristan Nancarrow | 16–17, 15–6, 15–17, 15–4, 15–5 | ||
| 1994 | Peter Nicol | 15–7, 15–10, 15–6 | ||
| 1995 | Brett Martin | 15–12, 15–7, 15–3 | ||
| Runner-up | 1996 | Rodney Eyles | 15–10, 15–10, 15–5 | |
| Winner | 1997 |  Jonathon Power | 14–15, 15–12, 15–7, 15–2 |
Pakistan Open
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1987 | Karachi, Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 1–9, 9–1, 10–8, 9–5, 9–0 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–9, 15–7 | ||
| 1989 | 15–11, 15–12, 15–10 | |||
| Winner | 1990 | 9–2, 4–9, 9–2, 9–2 | ||
| Runner-up | 1991 | 9–15, 15–10, 15–10, 15–5 | ||
| Winner | 1992 | 15–13, 15–5, 15–12 | ||
| 1994 | Peter Marshall | 14–15, 15–14, 15–10, 9–15, 15–6 | ||
| 1995 | Rodney Eyles | 15–9, 15–12, 15–8 | ||
| 1997 | Anthony Hill | 15–11, 15–7, 15–8 |
World Super Series Finals
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1993 | Zürich, Switzerland | Chris Dittmar | 15–10, 10–15, 15–13, 15–8 |
| 1994 | Peter Marshall | 8–15, 15–8, 15–7, 15–9 | ||
| 1997 | Hatfield, England | Brett Martin | 9–7, 9–5, 9–2 | |
| 1998 | Simon Parke | 15–12, 13–15, 15–11, 15–10 |
