Newsletter Issue No.5

He came and he saw. He did not conquer. Never mind. He liked what he saw and has promised to come again. And he was loved and adored. What more can one ask for! It had been a long wait. Three years, in fact, twice before squash enthusiasts were agog with excitement and looking forward to watching Jansher Khan in action. Both times the living legend withdrew at the last minute citing security considerations.

Inevitably there were grave misgivings when Jansher sent in his entry for The 1997 Mahindra International. Will he or won't he? The suspense gave away to sheer joy as he turned up. For the enthusiasts it was a dream come true. And they flocked to the Thunder dome at the Cricket Club of India looking forward to having a fill. The setting was near-perfect. All the top players baring former world number eight Brett Martin who had suddenly decided to call it a day were in their fray; the stand were full. Excitement filled the air. The event was made.

Unfortunately, Jansher was not at his best. He nearly fell at the first hurdle. Two games up, he struggled against Stephen Meads, a quarter final ranked number 27, and lost the third and the fourth. "Those were the two worst games I have ever played" Jansher commented later. Much to the relief of enthusiasts and organizers alike he survived. Jansher clinched the decider against a tiring Meads who was once warned for "going for the player instead of the ball" and was getting increasingly frustrated at 15-8.

Jansher seemed all the better for the experience when he next played world number 11 Dan Jenson of Australia. He dropped the third at 16-17 but was otherwise in control. His court coverage was still not sharp but Jansher attributed it to the heat and humidity and pointed out that he was accustomed to playing in air-conditioned courts.

In the quarter-final Jansher beat Irelands Derek Ryan without much sweat but he was distinctly lucky to squeeze past world number three Jonathon Power of Canada in the semi-final. Down by two games to one Jansher seemed on the way out when he trailed 6-10 in the fourth and then 10-13. However, he showed the stuff champions are made of by drawing level at 13 and proceeding to clinch the game and the match.

The stuff was now set for the final. Jansher Khan vs Peter Nicol world number one vs world no. 2 even as the spotlight was on Jansher, the title holder, Nicol, left no doubt of his intentions, the Scot was. in awesome from as he defeated England's Simon Parke in a memorable quarter-final and then downed another Englishman, Mark Chaloner, who had scored a sensational victory over reigning World Champion Rodney Eyles in five fiercely contested games the previous day.

The final did not quite live up to expectations. However. It was full of twists and turns. Jansher seemed very much in control when he made Nicol do all the running and led by tow games to one. However, Nicol still had a lot in reserve whereas Jansher was surprisingly beginning to show signs of fatigue. And to everyone's utter dismay Jansher gave up in the fifth.

It was a disappointing end to what many had hoped would be a great match. Jansher gave no excuses. Instead, he was full of praise for Nicol who, he said "played very well" and who was" a very good runner and very fit."

Winner of the Hartford open, the Al Abram open and the Kuwait open earlier in the year, Nicol picked up $16,625 for his meritorious triumph, in contrast to Jansher who had claimed eight titles earlier in the year. He was below par. he showed only glimpses of his class but provided ample evidence of his court craft and control which were of the highest order. uncanny was his knack to pounce on the slightest opening.

Watching Jansher in action ought to have been a source of inspiration to the youngsters. In fact, in one of his signed articles he said he saw no reason why India cannot produce world class. players as Pakistan have done. Hopefully, Jansher's visit will mark the beginning of a new era not only for Indian Squash but also for Indo-Pakistan relations. indeed, all vague fears about safety should now be put at rest. The Mahindra International which carried $110,000 in prize-money, the second highest for squash, has thus done a singular service.

Quarter finals:
Peter Nicol (scot) beat Simon Parke (Eng)	17-16, 15-9, 15-11.
Jansher Khan (pak) beat Derek Ryan (ire)	15-8,15-9,15-8
Semi-finals:
Nicol beat Chaloner	15-5, 6-15, 15-11, 15-11.
Jansher beat Power	15-8,12-15,10-15,15-13,15-7
Finals:
Nicol beat Jansher	9-15, 15-9, 9-15, 15-12, 15-5