By Our Correspondence
Shahid Zaman Khan, born in Quetta, Pakistan, in 1982, is the son of the legendary squash coach Gul Bahadur Khan. Raised in a family deeply rooted in squash, Shahid and his three brothers—Ali Jan, Abdul Wahid, and Zahid Gul—became outstanding players in their own right. Among them, Zahid Gul currently works with Hamza Khan, who made history by winning the World Junior Squash Championship in Melbourne, Australia, in 2023, ending a 37-year drought for Pakistan. Zahid played a crucial role in helping Hamza achieve this milestone, bringing pride to Pakistan after many years.
Shahid Zaman Khan comes from a distinguished squash lineage. His father, Gul Bahadur Khan, was a prominent coach who produced great champions, including Zarak Jahan Khan and Zubair Jahan Khan. Shahid’s uncle, Qamar Zaman, a former British Open champion and ex-world No.1, is renowned as one of the most skillful players to ever grace the sport. Shahid has inherited much of Qamar’s wizardry, making his own mark in the squash world.
A New Chapter in Boston
Recently, Shahid Zaman Khan announced that he has accepted the role of Head Squash Coach at Boston University, becoming the first professional coach hired by this prestigious institution. Earlier this year, he was also signed by Harvard Business School as their Squash Instructor. Shahid’s journey in the Boston area includes serving as the head squash professional at The Tennis and Racket Club, Boston’s oldest and most historic club, where he worked for 11 years before moving to Equinox Sports Club Boston.
Over the years, Shahid has trained hundreds of players at various clubs and educational institutions. He has worked at several respected institutions in Boston, including Belmont Hill School and Newton Country School, and has also been involved with SquashBusters Lawrence, a program dedicated to helping children through squash.
Shahid Zaman Khan, once Pakistan’s brightest squash star, reached a career-best No.14 in the international rankings and was the country’s top-ranked player for a considerable period. Despite his success, opportunities in Pakistan became scarce, leading him to move to North America in 2009. Since then, he has become a respected figure in the squash community, both in the US and abroad.
Despite his success in the US, Shahid’s heart remains with Pakistan. He yearns to serve Pakistani squash and sees himself as an asset for the country’s future champions. With the US now the heartland of squash, Shahid believes he is perfectly positioned to help the next generation of Pakistani players, including his nephew Hamza Khan, achieve greatness on the world stage.
In his own words, Shahid remains committed to helping Pakistan squash regain its former glory: “It is my desire to see Pakistani players winning world titles like Jahangir and Jansher, and if I can help in realizing that dream, then I’m always there.” His journey from Quetta to Boston is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport, making him an invaluable resource for the future of squash in Pakistan.
