Jansher to call it a day

Pakistan's former world number one squash champion Jansher Khan will retire from the professional circuit from his 33rd birthday on June 15, he said on Monday.

"I have made up my mind to call it a day. It has been a difficult decision but considering a two-year lay-off because of injuries, I think it is better to forget about staging one last comeback," Jansher said from the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Jansher's announcement came exactly two years after his last top flight match, when he lost the Dutch Open final in five games to Canadian Jonathan Power, the world number one.

Jansher, who held the world's top ranking for almost six years and also won the World Open eight times and took six British Open titles, has struggled with knee and groin injuries.

He had a series of operations for kneecap repairs but failed to find the same agility, rhythm and court coverage which made him the heir to compatriot Jahangir Khan.

Jahangir, seen as the world's greatest squash player and who is now senior vice president of World Squash Federation (PSF), retired six years ago after winning 10 British and six World Opens.

"More than anything, I would remember my duels with Jahangir who has not only been a role model for me but for the squash enthusiasts the world over," Jansher said.