Pakistan dominated squash from the 1950s to the 1990s, with players like Hashim Khan, Jahangir Khan, and Jansher Khan calling the shots on the courts.
The start of Hashim Khan’s victory in the 1951 British Open marked the beginning of years of Pakistani dominance over the sport, which had only recently been impacted by a stronghold of competition. Pakistan leveraged these historical milestones over the next two decades.
Also, don’t forget about Jahangir Khan. His unimaginable 555-match win streak solidified the country at the core of squash excellence, with numerous British Open and World Championships titles being claimed by Pakistani athletes. By the time the new millennium dawned, Pakistan was steadily losing prominence for a number of reasons.
Hashim Khan was followed by a string of world-class players from Pakistan, who were every bit as imposing in their victories, but the courts would echo more to the sound of Egyptian, English, and other foreign entrants. That was until Asim Khan, a 27-year-old who might end up being the torchbearer for taking a nation that has shaped the world of squash back on its way.
Asim Khan is ranked 64th in the Professional Squash Association World Rankings. He remains Pakistan’s No 1 player today, but breaking into the top 50 – a ranking that until recently was synonymous with Pakistan’s best – has been elusive. Recent victories like his first-ever PSA World Tour title at the Charlottesville Open shows his potential, but forces beyond the baseline – like scarce funding and insufficient institutional support – represent the more arduous contests he faces off the court.
His achievements have been a source of pride for the nation.
In an interview with Jarida Today, Asim Khan talked candidly about the struggles he has faced – and continues to face – on his journey in the world of squash. “This journey reflects years of hard work and sacrifice. While I may have reached this point gradually, I’m not expecting too much. To me, this is simply a small gift to my homeland, and I thank God for honoring and recognizing me before the people.”
Asim Khan was blunt about funding constraints. “Funding has always been an issue. I won some prize money in my last few tournaments, but that covers the cost of playing. I am fortunate to break even, but we needed help from the federation or the government for private events. But the support that players receive from people and authorities only comes when they officially represent Pakistan. As for the rest, well, that all goes by the wayside.”
When asked how the squash community could assist, Asim Khan responded hesitantly that he would like to see support coming from the private sector. “I can only compete in so many international events with sponsorship. It’s not that we sat around more often than not; we just didn’t have any money. However, if we had more sponsors or investors, we would be able to compete regularly and raise Pakistan to the global spectrum.”
Now, he is looking at new challenges that await him. “I’m just looking forward to the London Open next month. It’s going to be a tough competition, hard-fought, but I’m hoping that I can prepare myself.” Asim’s journey is akin to the grit of a bygone era in Pakistan squash.
He has his work cut out for him – on the court and even more so off – but in that way, he is no different to those who came before him. He is leading the way in a sport which Pakistan once dominated, aiming not just to write his own future but also to bring his country back to its squash-playing glory days. His wins, though celebrated in foreign courts, are firmly embedded in the need to restore Pakistan’s global standing in squash.
With one eye on future tournaments and the chorus of his rally for greater backing, Asim remarked that the idea of revival in the background was an illusion..Pakistan squash may be on its ‘last’ legs, but as long as players like Asim Khan continue to fight for success, there is always the possibility of a renaissance. His success can potentially reignite the passion for squash in Pakistan, inspiring a new generation of players and securing the sport’s future in the country.