Jansher Khan PP SI HI NI (Pashto: جان شیر خان; born 15 June 1969) is a former Pakistani professional squash player. During his career, he won the World Open eight times and the British Open six times. 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.

Career Khan's professional career began in 1986, when he won the World Junior Squash Championships in Australia at the age of 16. 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.

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. + 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

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

Post-retirement

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

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." 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. 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."

Awards and recognition Jansher Khan is the first Pakistani player to win four major national honours. Pride of Performance awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1988 Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1993 Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1997 Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) awarded by the President of Pakistan in 2023

Major finals

World Open Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the finalWinner 1987 Birmingham, England Chris Dittmar 9–5, 9–4, 4–9, 9–6Runner-up 1988 Amsterdam, Netherlands Jahangir Khan 9–6, 9–2, 9–2Winner 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 finalRunner-up 1987 London, England Jahangir Khan 9–6, 9–0, 9–5 1991 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0Winner 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, 15–8Runner-up 1998 Birmingham, England 17–16, 15–4, 15–5

Hong Kong Open Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the finalWinner 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, 15–3Runner-up 1996 Rodney Eyles 15–10, 15–10, 15–5Winner 1997 Jonathon Power 14–15, 15–12, 15–7, 15–2

Pakistan Open Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the finalWinner 1987 Karachi, Pakistan Jahangir Khan 1–9, 9–1, 10–8, 9–5, 9–0Runner-up 1988 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–9, 15–7 1989 15–11, 15–12, 15–10Winner 1990 9–2, 4–9, 9–2, 9–2Runner-up 1991 9–15, 15–10, 15–10, 15–5Winner 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 finalWinner 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

See also Jahangir Khan World Open British Open World Squash List of Pakistanis Squash in Pakistan Sport in Pakistan

References

External links