Jansher Khan

Jansher Khan
PP SI HI NI
Personal information
Native name
جان شیر خان
Born (1969-06-15) 15 June 1969
Peshawar, Pakistan
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 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
1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
Turned pro
1986
Retired2001
Achievements and titles
World finals
8
Highest world ranking
No. 1 (January 1988 – January 1998)
Updated on 8 January 2024

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]

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]

Head-to-head results vs. Jahangir Khan
Year Total Matches Won by Jansher Khan Won by Jahangir Khan
1986101
19871174
1988835
1989927
1990550
1991220
Total361917

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]

Major finals

World Open

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner1987Birmingham, EnglandAustralia Chris Dittmar9–5, 9–4, 4–9, 9–6
Runner-up1988Amsterdam, NetherlandsPakistan Jahangir Khan9–6, 9–2, 9–2
Winner1989Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAustralia Chris Dittmar7–15, 6–15, 15–4, 15–11, 15–10
1990Toulouse, France15–8, 17–15, 13–15, 15–5
1992Johannesburg, South Africa15–11, 15–9, 10–15, 15–6
1993Karachi, PakistanPakistan Jahangir Khan14–15, 15–9, 15–5, 15–5
1994Barcelona, SpainEngland Peter Marshall10–15, 15–11, 15–8, 15–4
1995Nicosia, CyprusEngland Del Harris15–10, 17–14, 16–17, 15–8
1996Karachi, PakistanAustralia Rodney Eyles15–13, 17–15, 11–15, 15–3

British Open

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Runner-up1987London, EnglandPakistan Jahangir Khan9–6, 9–0, 9–5
19912–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0
Winner1992Australia Chris Robertson9–7, 10–9, 9–5
1993Australia Chris Dittmar9–6, 9–5, 6–9, 9–2
1994Australia Brett Martin9–1, 9–0, 9–10, 9–1
1995Cardiff, WalesEngland Peter Marshall15–4, 15–4, 15–5
1996Australia Rodney Eyles15–13, 15–8, 15–10
1997Scotland Peter Nicol17–15, 9–15, 15–12, 8–15, 15–8
Runner-up1998Birmingham, England17–16, 15–4, 15–5

Hong Kong Open

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner1987Hong KongAustralia Chris Dittmar9–6, 9–2, 9–5
198815–11, 9–15, 15–6, 12–15, 15–1
198915–8, 16–17, 15–2, 15–6
1990Australia Chris Robertson15–6, 14–15, 15–10, 15–5
1991Australia Tristan Nancarrow16–17, 15–6, 15–17, 15–4, 15–5
1994Scotland Peter Nicol15–7, 15–10, 15–6
1995Australia Brett Martin15–12, 15–7, 15–3
Runner-up1996Australia Rodney Eyles15–10, 15–10, 15–5
Winner1997Canada Jonathon Power14–15, 15–12, 15–7, 15–2

Pakistan Open

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner1987Karachi, PakistanPakistan Jahangir Khan1–9, 9–1, 10–8, 9–5, 9–0
Runner-up198816–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–9, 15–7
198915–11, 15–12, 15–10
Winner19909–2, 4–9, 9–2, 9–2
Runner-up19919–15, 15–10, 15–10, 15–5
Winner199215–13, 15–5, 15–12
1994England Peter Marshall14–15, 15–14, 15–10, 9–15, 15–6
1995Australia Rodney Eyles15–9, 15–12, 15–8
1997Australia Anthony Hill15–11, 15–7, 15–8

World Super Series Finals

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner1993Zürich, SwitzerlandAustralia Chris Dittmar15–10, 10–15, 15–13, 15–8
1994England Peter Marshall8–15, 15–8, 15–7, 15–9
1997Hatfield, EnglandAustralia Brett Martin9–7, 9–5, 9–2
1998England Simon Parke15–12, 13–15, 15–11, 15–10

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Squash legend Jansher Khan appointed head coach to PSF". DAWN.COM. 21 December 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Jansher Khan Appointed Head Coach of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate". World Squash. 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. 1 2 3 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. ↑ Williams, Martin (24 August 2019). "Jansher Khan V Jahangir Khan – Rivalry, Matches, Legacy". sportscentaur.com. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  12. ↑ Squash (17 April 2019). "Jahangir vs. Jansher: Who Was The Best?". Winning Squash. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  13. ↑ "2001 – a disastrous year for Pakistan squash". Dawn (newspaper). 31 December 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "Squash great Jansher Khan diagnosed with Parkinson's disease". The Times of India. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  15. ↑ "Jansher Khan – Pakistan Squash Federation". 3 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  16. ↑ "Squash legends Jahangir and Jansher receive Nishan-e-Imtiaz". The Nation. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 "Jansher Khan". Pakistan Olympic Association.
  18. ↑ Post, The Frontier (23 March 2023). "Jansher Khan awarded with Nishan-e-Imtiaz". Retrieved 15 June 2025.

Jansher Khan at Squash Info

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