# Jansher Khan

Jansher Khan (Pashto:جان شیر خان; born 15 June 1969) is a Pakistani former professional squash player. Khan won numerous championships and awards during his career, and he held the rank of number 1 in the world for over a decade. He won 293 of 331 PSA Professional matches and 99 of 118 PSA Professional Tour Finals matches. From 1990 to 1996, he remained unbeaten in 81 matches, which Guinness World Records recognizes as the longest winning streak in top-level professional sports.

## Career

Jansher Khan had his first major success in 1986 as the winner of World Junior Squash Championships in Australia, when he was aged 16. Same year, by defeating Australia's Chris Dittmar, he won the Senior World Open tournament. At 16, he became the youngest winner in squash history by defeating world No. 1 Jahangir Khan in the Hong Kong Open. He went on to defeat Jahangir Khan 7 more times that year.Jansher Khan began his career as an employee of the Pakistan Air Force. During his career, he won 293 of 331 PSA Professional matches, and 99 of 118 PSA Professional Tour Finals. From 1990 to 1996, he was unbeaten in 81 matches, a record six years; his longest winning streak is recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest in top-level professional sports. By comparison, his main competitor Jahangir Khan won 134 of 164 PSA Professional matches and 61 of 80 PSA Professional Tour Finals and was unbeaten in 70 matches for five years from 1981 to 1986.
Jansher Khan retired from squash in 2001. In late 2011, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 2020, after suffering from severe back pain while praying and walking, Khan underwent successful double back surgery at a Shifa International hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Jansher Khan offered the following advice to young players after his successful surgery:
   "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."

## Squash Coaching

In September 2020, at the request of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan, Jansher Khan joined the Directorate General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as head squash coach.
Jansher Khan stated upon his appointment, “I will do my best to fill the gap created in the game of squash and make the country a new world champion.”

## Jahangir Khan rivalry

Jansher Khan's main rival was his fellow Pakistani, Jahangir Khan. In the 1980s and 1990s, they won most of the 14 World Open titles and 16 British Open titles. From their first match at the Pakistan Open in 1986 to the Spanish Open in March 1991, they played 37 tournament matches. Jansher won 19 of these matches, while Jahangir won 18.
Of the 36 matches contested between Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan won 19 matches, while Jahangir Khan secured 17 wins.

### 36 Matches (19 Win, 17 runner-up)

| Year | Total Matches Played | 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 |

### 36 Matches (19 Win, 17 runner-up)

| Outcome | Year | Tournament | Round | Opponent | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 1986 | Pakistan Open | First-Round | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 9–6, 5–9, 9–3 |
| Runner-up | 1987 | Spanish Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 7–9, 9–7, 9–1 |
| Runner-up | 1987 | British Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 9–0, 9–5 |
| Winner | 1987 | Hong Kong Open | Semi-Final | Jahangir Khan | 9-2, 10–8, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1987 | Pakistan Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 1–9, 1–9, 10–8, 9–5, 9–0 |
| Winner | 1987 | World Open | Semi-Final | Jahangir Khan | 3–9, 9–4, 9–7, 9–7 |
| Winner | 1987 | US Open | Semi-Final | Jahangir Khan | 17–16, 8–15, 4–15, 15–10, 15–3 |
| Winner | 1987 | Swiss Masters | Semi-Final | Jahangir Khan | 7–9, 2–9, 10–8, 9–1, 10–9 |
| Winner | 1987 | PIA Masters | Final | Jahangir Khan | 9–2, 5–9, 9–4, 5–9, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1987 | Al-Falaj Masters | Semi-Final | Jahangir Khan | 9-2, 9–2, 5–9, 9–2 |
| Runner-up | 1987 | Dubai Challenge Match | - | Jahangir Khan | 9-6, 9–5, 9–1 |
| Runner-up | 1987 | Abu Dhabi Challenge Match | - | Jahangir Khan | 9–4, 8–10, 9–1, 9–7 |
| Winner | 1988 | Spanish Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 5–9, 9–6, 9–6, 9,0 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | French Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15–9, 10–15, 15–13, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1988 | Monaco Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 3–9, 3–9, 9–3, 9–0, 9–4 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | World Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 9–2, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1988 | Singapore Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15–8, 15–11, 9–15, 10–15, 15–9 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | Pakistan Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–9, 15–7 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | President's Gold Cup | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15–10, 15–7, 10–15, 15–8 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | Al-Falaj Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 9–0, 10–8, 2–9, 9–1 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | Mennen Cup | Final | Jahangir Khan | 12–15, 15–12, 15–2, 15–7 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | Spanish Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15–10, 15–12, 15–7 |
| Winner | 1988 | Monaco Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 7–15, 15–11, 7–15, 15–12, 15–7 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | Working Challenge Match | - | Jahangir Khan | 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–8, 15–7 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | AIWA Invitation Match | Final | Jahangir Khan | 9-15, 15–10, 15–6, 3–15, 15–5 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | Pakistan Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15–11, 15–12, 15–10 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | C.O.A. Trophy | Final | Jahangir Khan | 0–9, 7–9, 9–2, 9–2, 9–1 |
| Winner | 1989 | Canadian Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15–4, 7–15, 15–6, 9–15, 15–7 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | Stuttgart Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15–9, 15–13, 15–14 |
| Winner | 1990 | Mennen Cup | Semi-Final | Jahangir Khan | 17-15, 15–12, 15–9 |
| Winner | 1990 | Austrian Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 13-15, 15–11, 15–12, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1990 | Pakistan Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 9–2, 4–9, 9–2, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1990 | President's Gold Cup | Final | Jahangir Khan | 7–9, 5–9, 9–2, 9–2, 9–5 |
| Winner | 1990 | Pimm's Premier League | - | Jahangir Khan | 9-1, 7–9, 9–4, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1991 | Pimm's Premier League | - | Jahangir Khan | 8-10, 9–2, 9–2, 9–1 |
| Winner | 1991 | Spanish Open | Final | Jahangir Khan | 15-11, 10–15, 15–4, 15–7 |

## Awards and recognition

* Pride of Performance Awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1988
* Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1993
* Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1997

## Career

* World Championships: 9 finals (8 winner, 1 runner-up)
| 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 |
| Winner | 1990 | Toulouse, France | Chris Dittmar | –8, 17–15, 13–15, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1992 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Chris Dittmar | 5–11, 15–9, 10–15, 15–6 |
| Winner | 1993 | Karachi, Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 14–15, 15–9, 15–5, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1994 | Barcelona, Spain | Peter Marshall | 10–15, 15–11, 15–8, 15–4 |
| Winner | 1995 | Nicosia, Cyprus | Del Harris | 15–10, 17–14, 16–17, 15–8 |
| Winner | 1996 | Karachi, Pakistan | Rodney Eyles | 15–13, 17–15, 11–15, 15–3 |
* British Open: 9 finals (6 winner, 3 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 1987 | London, England | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 9–0, 9–5 |
| Runner-up | 1991 | London, England | Jahangir Khan | 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0 |
| Winner | 1992 | London, England | Chris Robertson | 9–7, 10–9, 9–5 |
| Winner | 1993 | London, England | Chris Dittmar | 9–6, 9–5, 6–9, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1994 | London, England | Brett Martin | 9–1, 9–0, 9–10, 9–1 |
| Winner | 1995 | Cardiff, Wales | Peter Marshall | 15–4, 15–4, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1996 | Cardiff, Wales | Rodney Eyles | 15–13, 15–8, 15–10 |
| Winner | 1997 | Cardiff, Wales | Peter Nicol | 17–15, 9–15, 15–12, 8–15, 15–8 |
| Runner-up | 1998 | Birmingham, England | Peter Nicol | 17–16, 15–4, 15–5 |
* Hong Kong Squash Open: 9 finals (8 winner, 1 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Winner | 1987 | Hong Kong | Chris Dittmar | 9–6, 9–2, 9–5 |
| Winner | 1988 | Hong Kong | Chris Dittmar | 15-11, 9–15, 15–6, 12–15, 15–1 |
| Winner | 1989 | Hong Kong | Chris Dittmar | 5–8, 16–17, 15–2, 15–6 |
| Winner | 1990 | Hong Kong | Chris Robertson | 15–6, 14–15, 15–10, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1991 | Hong Kong | Tristan Nancarrow | 16–17, 15–6, 15–17, 15–4, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1994 | Hong Kong | Peter Nicol | 15–7, 15–10, 15–6 |
| Winner | 1995 | Hong Kong | Brett Martin | 15–12, 15–7, 15–3 |
| Runner-up | 1996 | Hong Kong | Rodney Eyles | 15–10, 15–10, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1997 | Hong Kong | Jonathon Power | 14–15, 15–12, 15–7, 15–2 |
* Pakistan Open: 9 finals (6 winner, 3 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Winner | 1987 | Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 1–9, 9–1, 10–8, 9–5, 9–0 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–9, 15–7 |
| Runner-up | 1989 | Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 15–11, 15–12, 15–10 |
| Winner | 1990 | Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 9–2, 4–9, 9–2, 9–2 |
| Runner-up | 1991 | Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 9–15, 15–10, 15–10, 15–5 |
| Winner | 1992 | Pakistan | Jahangir Khan | 15–13, 15–5, 15–12 |
| Winner | 1994 | Pakistan | Peter Marshall | 14–15, 15–14, 15–10, 9–15, 15–6 |
| Winner | 1995 | Pakistan | Rodney Eyles | 15–9, 15–12, 15–8 |
| Winner | 1997 | Pakistan | Anthony Hill | 15–11, 15–7, 15–8 |
* World Super Series: 4 finals (4 winner, 0 runner-up)
| 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 |
| Winner | 1994 | Zürich, Switzerland | Peter Marshall | 8–15, 15–8, 15–7, 15–9 |
| Winner | 1997 | Hatfield, England | Brett Martin | 9–7, 9–5, 9–2 |
| Winner | 1998 | Hatfield, England | Simon Parke | 15–12, 13–15, 15–11, 15–10 |
Sporting positions :
| Preceded byJahangir Khan Chris Dittmar | Official Men's Squash World Ranking January 1988 – January 1998 | Succeeded byPeter Nicol David Palmer |