Pakistanis were soon making waves in the field of hockey, squash, athletics, snooker and cricket achieving outstanding results. The Khan clan headed by legendary Hashim Khan dominated the squash scene for decades until the decline set in mid 90s.
During this unprecedented period Pakistan produced two players Jahangir Khan — undoubtedly game’s greatest player ever — and Jansher Khan. The two ruled the world squash for almost 15 years.
However, when Jansher forced to quit due to persistent injuries in 90s Pakistan’s dominance came to an abrupt end and since then the rot set in so rapidly that today not a single Pakistani is in top 20 of the world of the game.
On world sporting horizon
The sports that really put Pakistan on world sporting horizon has been the country’s national game hockey. At one time Pakistan was undisputed kings of hockey. It simultaneously held four of the major hockey prizes at stake the World Cup, Olympics, Asian Cup and Asian Games. Yet the fate of hockey too had been the same as squash. Pakistan’s last major success was the World Cup in 1994. Since then the story has been nothing but dismal.
Pakistan too gave the world some of the greatest hockey players in Anwar Ahmad Khan, Rashid Jr, Islahuddin, Hasan Sardar, Manzoor Sr, Manzoor Jr and Samiullah who dazzled the fans world over with their artistry. The story of country’s most popular sport cricket can only be described as inconsistently consistent since getting Test status way back in 1952. During this period Pakistan performance has been topsy turvey beating the best on one day and losing to the minnows the other day. If the 1992 World Cup triumph was the high point, humiliating exits from the same competition in 2003 and 2007 were certainly the lowest points.
Cricketers of outstanding abilities
Pakistan produced dozens of cricketers of outstanding abilities who were recognised even by their worst critics for their exploits on the field. The names of Imran Khan, Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamamul Haq, and Fazal Mahmood are household names where the game is played. Although not as popular as hockey and cricket Pakistan, however, found in Mohammad Yousuf and unlikely hero in world champion in snooker that surprised everyone. Yousuf achieved that feat also in 1994. It was the same year Pakistan were world champions in hockey, cricket, snooker and squash, an achievement any country would be proud of.
If the 1994 were the golden year for Pakistan sports it was from here the decline set in and unfortunately since then the country has not won a single honour of note at any sporting discipline.
How long this barren period to continue for Pakistan sports and sportspersons only the coming days and years will tell? Perhaps it is time for the sports authorities and the sportsperson to ponder why this rot took place and must take measures to ensure the country regain its past glories.