PESHAWAR: Often regarded as the “home of squash,” Peshawar has produced some of the sport’s most legendary players. Among them are Jahangir Khan, who won the World Open title six times and the British Open a record ten times, and Jansher Khan, who claimed the World Open title a record eight times and the British Open six times. Both players hail from Peshawar, cementing the city’s reputation as a cradle of squash champions.
In Peshawar, a remarkable family has continued this legacy, with four children—three daughters and a son—excelling in squash at both national and international levels. Their achievements, including setting world records, further solidify Peshawar’s status as a powerhouse for squash talent.
Mehwish Ali, 16, is the eldest of the three sisters and a rising star in the world of squash. She is currently Pakistan’s number one in both the senior and under-19 categories. Despite her young age, Mehwish has already won an impressive 22 gold medals, including four at the international level in both senior and junior competitions.
In an interview with the Tribal News Network (TNN), Mehwish Ali described her victories at the Scottish Junior Championship in Scotland and the Australian Junior Championship in Australia as some of her greatest achievements.
Reflecting on her journey, Mehwish Ali recalls that when she and her elder brother were young, their father, a pharmacist by profession, used to play badminton at the Peshawar Sports Complex. Believing that squash, as an indoor sport, would engage both the mind and body, he enrolled his two eldest children in the squash program. Mehwish has been playing squash for the last six years, with the last three years dedicated to the sport at a professional level.
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Mehwish Ali draws inspiration from world champions Jansher Khan and Qamar Zaman, one of the leading squash players of the 1970s and 1980s. “I want to bring the same recognition to my country as they did,” said the young athlete. She added with pride that her younger sister, Mahnoor Ali, is the first woman from Pakistan to achieve the title of Asia’s number one.
Mehwish Ali practices for six hours every day. “Sometimes my exam schedules clash with my international tour dates. I was pursuing A-levels, but I’ve now decided to switch to intermediate studies so that I can better balance my education with my squash career. No pain, no gain,” she says.
When asked about her family’s support, Mehwish Ali shared that her father, being an athlete himself, understands the challenges an athlete faces. She added that, despite her mother’s conservative nature, she fully supports all her children in their sports endeavors.
Mahnoor Ali, the youngest sister at 11 years old, is already making her mark in the world of squash. She is currently ranked No. 2 in Pakistan’s under-15 category and No. 3 in the women’s senior category. She has won 15 gold medals, including 10 at the national level and five in international competitions. She won her first international gold at the Eighteen Penang Junior Championship in Malaysia, where she triumphed in the under-11 category. She also won the Scottish Junior Championship in the same age group, followed by victories in the under-15 category at the Australian Junior Championship. Additionally, Mahnoor secured gold in the under-13 category at the Singapore City Junior Championship and the Malaysian Junior Open in Penang.
Mahnoor Ali shared with TNN that her interest in squash grew from watching her older siblings play. She began playing the sport professionally three years ago. Initially, her school commitments made it difficult to dedicate enough time to squash. “But to excel in squash, you need to devote proper time to fitness, coaching, and practice, which is why I have switched to homeschooling,” she explained.
As a young athlete, Mahnoor Ali aspires to make a name for herself in squash on the world stage, similar to the accomplishments of the country’s male players.
Sehrish Ali, the middle sister, is 12 years old and currently holds the No. 1 ranking in Pakistan’s under-15 category. She has already amassed 12 gold medals in her career.
“The Malaysian Junior Open was particularly interesting for me because I competed against my sister Mahnoor. She won, and I finished in second place,” Sehrish recalled. She has also participated in international competitions, securing notable positions in Singapore, Scotland, and Australia.
Shayan Ali, the only brother among the champion sisters, is 17 years old and presently ranked No. 5 in Pakistan’s under-19 category. He has competed in numerous local and national tournaments, as well as 12 international events.
The athlete sisters have expressed concerns that the government does not provide adequate facilities for female players. They noted that the courts for women lack air conditioning, unlike the male courts in the same sports complexes. This discrepancy, they complain, often leads to dehydration and discomfort for the female players.
“Our father covers our international travel expenses himself. The lack of sponsorship is causing a lot of talent to go to waste in the country. Players should be provided with quality courts, proper kits, and opportunities for international exposure. These resources can help develop them into top athletes,” said Mehwish Ali, reaffirming her commitment to working even harder in her career.
