SquashTalk > British Open 2002 Squash Website > 2002 Report #1: Hashim Khan

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Hashim with Jonathon Power

SQUASH LEGEND Hashim Khan competes in the British Open this week. Hashim, enjoying retirement in Denver Colorado, where he has worked as a pro for several decades, is still an exciting presence on the squash court.

The Pakistani, who won seven British Open titles in the 1950s, made Squash Pakistan's National pride, and spawned a squash dynasty, is competing in the Over-60 competition this week in London. His first match takes place at Lambs Club in London on Wednesday 4th April at 7pm, when he plays England Squash President and World Squash Federation Vice President Mike Corby, in a special preliminary round.

Both players will be available for interviews and pictures before and after the match.

Hashim at a Previous Masters Appearance

Hashim Khan started his squash career as a ballboy. He was employed by British officers serving on the Northern Frontier, defending the Khyber Pass, to retrieve the ball if they hit it out of the open air courts at the Peshawar Club. He took to the courts himself after the officers had finished playing, and taught himself how to play. He became a coach at the Pakistan Air Force Officers Mess and quickly became one of the fastest and fittest players in the world.

He won the first Pakistan Open in 1949, His first appearance in the British Open was in 1951, when he was approaching his 35th birthday. He beat the stylish Egyptian, Mahmoud El Karim, 9-5, 9-0, 9-0 with a new brand of squash. His speed around the court stunned his opponents and onlookers recall the squeal of his shoes as he changed direction.

One observed: "You could almost smell the burning rubber whenever Hashim played." He won six British Open titles in a row, and seven in all, and last year he and his younger brother, Azam, who won the title four times from 1958-61, received special International Awards during an England Squash presentation ceremony in Birmingham.

Hashim at his peak in the '50s

Hashim has lived in Denver for many years. He fathered 12 children and his eldest son, Sharif, was North American Open champion a record 12 times between 1969 and 1981. Hashim's brother-in-law, Roshan, was another majestic Pakistani player who won the British Open in 1957. Roshan's son, Jahangir, went on to collect a record 10 consecutive British Open titles and is now a World Squash Federation Vice President.