Pakistan squash legend Jansher Khan inducted into PSA Hall of Fame

Hong Kong. 1987. A brash teenager from Peshawar tells reporters that he would beat squash legend Jahangir Khan in the upcoming Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open squash tournament.

Jansher Khan, the lanky kid, had won the world junior titles in Australia in 1986 and was now starting to make his bones on the international professional circuit. He was a bright prospect for the future but the idea that the unseeded youngster could dethrone Jahangir, the reigning world No.1, was unthinkable. At least at that time.

Unsurprisingly, Jansher, was ridiculed by both media and the squash fans.

But the 18-year-old had the last laugh when he defeated Jahangir 10-8, 9-2, 9-2 in the final of the US$32,000 tournament.

Hong Kong. 2024. Jansher, now 55, returned to Hong Kong on December 1 (Sunday) to be honored as the newest member of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Hall of Fame.

At a special induction evening held at the iconic Hong Kong Football Club, Jansher became a member of the PSA Hall of fame along with Malaysian legend Nicole David.

The PSA Hall of Fame was launched earlier this year to recognize the achievements of the game’s most influential characters, past and present. The first two members were Pakistan’s Jahangir Khan and New Zealand’s Susan Devoy.

Jansher is truly one of the greatest legends in world squash. He has won a record eight World Open titles and six British Open crowns. He has won 99 professional titles – another record – and was world No.1 for 97 months throughout an illustrious career during the 1980s and 1990s.

Nicole’s credentials are equally impressive.

She is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of squash. Her career included an unprecedented eight World Open titles and an unmatched 108-month reign as the World No.1. She also claimed five British Open titles and won two Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Lasting legacy

Jansher said he was pleased to be back in a city where he won eight Hong Kong Open titles.

“I feel very happy because Hong Kong is my second home and I played the Hong Kong Open for many years and I won eight Hong Kong Opens, so Hong Kong is really, for me, it is the best place. And I’m very happy to come to Hong Kong see my old friends. It’s an honor to get this award.”

PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough, a former squash professional, hailed both Jansher and Nicole.

“Nicol and Jansher are two of the most iconic figures in the history of squash and have both left a lasting legacy in the sport,” he commented.

“Jansher’s name will forever be linked to squash and the records he has amassed across the men’s game are nothing short of incredible,” he added.

Egypt’s current World No.1 Ali Farag paid a glowing tribute to Jansher.

“It’s a really special moment for me to stand here as we honor, in mine and many people’s opinion, the greatest squash player of all time: Jansher Khan.

“Mr Jansher, from me, from everyone here in this room and from everyone in the squash world and beyond, we would like to really thank you for so many reasons.

“I have been blessed with so many things throughout my squash journey, but being compared to you is definitely one of the greatest honors of my career.

“Tonight, we celebrate not just your victories, but the legacy you’ve built and left behind.”

Farag thanked Jansher for his on-court achievements, for inspiring generations future players, for showing the world ‘poetry in motion’ and for transcending the sport.