Roshan Khan: Pakistan's greatest squash player who won the British Open with only five shillings in his pocket
"Can you beat Hashim Khan?" Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff asked a man in front of him. The answer was very honest.
No sir! But I need a chance to play with them. I don't think I can get this opportunity in Pakistan so send me to England somehow.
After thinking for a while, the Chief of Naval Staff said, "If you win the Pakistan Professional Squash Championship for the third time, you will be sent to England."
This dialogue between Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff and this man went on to become an important part of Pakistan's squash history.
Roshan Khan's life was a constant struggle. Some people complained about his tough temper but in fact behind this bitterness were the circumstances and events that Roshan Khan had to face during his career. But those who knew him well say that Roshan Khan was a gentleman from within.
Roshan Khan had mentioned these difficult situations in detail in an interview given to me about 35 years ago today.
* I used to work in Rawalpindi Club with my father Faizullah Khan but for a better future I came to Karachi from Rawalpindi but I had no place to hide my head and no job.
This was the time when Hashim Khan had made his mark by winning the British Open. He was arranged to be sent to London by Pakistan Air Force. Roshan Khan also wanted to make a name for himself but circumstances did not allow it.
Roshan Khan had won the Pakistan Professional Squash Championship in Kakul in 1949 but Hashim Khan did not play in it. Roshan Khan wanted his potential to be known when he competed with Hashim Khan.
Roshan Khan had in mind that Hashim Khan does not play in the championship in Pakistan, so in Karachi, there may be opportunities for him to go to London and try his luck. Meanwhile, his older brother Nasrullah, who played tennis and squash in Karachi, helped him.
When the Pakistan Professional Championship was held in 1952, Hashim Khan and his younger brother Azam Khan did not participate in it. Roshan Khan thought that these two brothers deliberately did not want to play with him. Roshan Khan won the championship again but he was sad not to play with Hashim Khan.
Nasrullah Khan came up with a proposal and wanted to have a challenge match between Hashim Khan and Roshan Khan for which he announced a reward of Rs.500 but Hashim Khan did not show any interest in it either.
Roshan Khan had said that this was the period when he was not able to participate in the competitions held in England despite being the national champion while Hashim Khan, Azam Khan, Safirullah, and Muhammad Amin were going to England.