Jansher Khan

Jansher Khan
PP, SI, HI, NI
Personal information
Native nameجان شیر خان
Born (1969-06-15) 15 June 1969
Peshawar, Pakistan
Occupation(s)
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 active1986–2002
EmployerPakistan Air Force[3]
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Spouse
Violet Sough (m. 1986; div. 1989)

Naseem (m. 1989)

Children3, including Kamran Khan, Ayaz SherKhan, and Ali SherKhan
Sport
Country Pakistan
SportSquash
World Open1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
Turned pro1986
Retired2001
Achievements and titles
World finals8
Highest world rankingNo. 1 (January 1988 – January 1998)
Updated on 8 January 2024

Jansher Khan (Pashto: جان شیر خان; born 15 June 1969)[4][5][6] is a Pakistani former professional squash player. During his career, he won the World Open a record eight times and the British Open six times.[7] He was the world's number-one-ranked player from January 1988 to January 1998. His 81-match unbeaten streak from 1990 to 1996 is the longest in the history of top-level professional squash.[8]

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 also challenged the dominance of fellow Pakistani, Jahangir Khan, who had been unbeaten for the previous five years. Khan's first major senior title was the Hong Kong Open in 1987. The same year, he won his first World Open title, defeating Australia's Chris Dittmar in the final. Early in his career, Khan was affiliated with the Pakistan Air Force.[10]

Khan retired from professional squash in 2001, citing burnout and injuries.[11]

Post-retirement

Health

In late 2011, Khan was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.[12] In 2020, after suffering from severe back pain, he underwent two successful back surgeries at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.[8]

After his surgery, Khan advised younger players on injury management:

"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 Sports of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as head squash coach.[13] 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]

Rivalry with Jahangir Khan

Jansher Khan's main rival was his fellow Pakistani, Jahangir Khan. Between 1986 and 1991, they dominated the sport, collectively winning 14 World Open and 16 British Open titles. In 36 tournament matches between them, Jansher won 19 and Jahangir won 17.[14][15]

Head-to-head results vs. Jahangir Khan
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

Awards and recognition

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

References

  1. ^ "Squash legend Jansher Khan appointed head coach to PSF". DAWN.COM. 21 December 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Jansher Khan Appointed Head Coach of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate". 17 September 2020.
  3. ^ https://www.worldsquash.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/210118__Jansher-Khan-Hall-of-Fame.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ Andrew Shelley. "Profile of Jansher Khan". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Profile of Jansher Khan". The South Asian. November 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  6. ^ Raju Chainani (20 August 2004). "Jansher Khan: "The Last Emperor... a retrospective of a championship career"". Squash Talk. Archived from the original on 20 February 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  7. ^ Ian Sansom (30 July 2010). "Great dynasties of the world: The Khans". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Agencies (1 August 2020). "Jansher undergoes double back surgery successfully". Dawn. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Jansher Khan | 8-Time World Open Squash Champion | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Jansher Khan – Pakistan Squash Federation". 3 February 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  11. ^ "2001 – a disastrous year for Pakistan squash". Dawn (newspaper). 31 December 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Squash great Jansher Khan diagnosed with Parkinson's disease". The Times of India. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Jansher Khan – Pakistan Squash Federation". 3 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  14. ^ Williams, Martin (24 August 2019). "Jansher Khan V Jahangir Khan – Rivalry, Matches, Legacy". sportscentaur.com. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  15. ^ Squash (17 April 2019). "Jahangir vs. Jansher: Who Was The Best?". Winning Squash. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  16. ^ a b c "Jansher Khan". Pakistan Olympic Association.
  17. ^ Post, The Frontier. "Jansher Khan awarded with Nishan-e-Imtiaz". Retrieved 15 June 2025.

Jansher Khan at Squash Info

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