M.N. Jehan

Muhammad Noor Jehan (11 April 1940 – 8 June 2005), commonly known as M.N. Jehan, was a Pakistani footballer who played as an inside left forward. Jehan represented the Pakistan national football team in the 1960s, and was member of the national squad which finished finalists at the 1962 Merdeka Tournament. He also served the Pakistan Football Federation as chief selector in the 1990s.

Early life Jehan was born on 11 April 1940 in Bahawalpur. He started playing football at the age of 13 in the football team of Bahawalpur High School.

Club career In 1957, Jehan was a part of the Bahawalpur football selection which participated in the 1957 National Football Championship.

He then moved to Lahore, where represented the football team of his education institution Islamia College. He also represented several clubs from Lahore including Olympians, Bata Sports, and Rovers at the Lahore District Football League. He was the league’s top goal-scorer in 1958, with 12 goals. In 1959, he was also selected for the Punjab football team for the National Football Championship.

In July of 1961, Jehan joined National Football Championship departmental side Pakistan Western Railway, where he was also employed as platform and luggage inspector. The following year, In 1963, Jehan went on to win the 1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup, scoring five goals throughout the tournament. Including a hat-trick in the quarter-finals, and a goal in the final.

International career

In 1959, Jehan was first selected by the Pakistan national team for the tour to Burma, where he scored in a 2–4 loss.

In 1960, Jehan represented Pakistan in the Merdeka Tournament held in Malaya where he scored a goal in a record 7–0 victory over Thailand.

On 26 August 1962, he scored all goals in a 4–1 victory during an exhibition game against East Pakistan XI before the next Merdeka Tournament. He was member of the national squad which finished runner-ups at the next 1962 Merdeka Tournament where he scored the lone goal in the first match against Burma in the 44th minute. He also played in the friendly series against China in 1963. He also played against Iran in the Summer Olympics qualifiers.

Post-retirement Jehan served the Pakistan Football Federation as chief selector in the 1990s during the tenure of former PFF president Mian Muhammad Azhar. Following the appointment of the next president Faisal Saleh Hayat in August 2003, Jehan was replaced by Qayyum Changezi. He also served as football TV commentator and provided live commentary on domestic and foreign matches. Jehan accompanied the national team as a team manager in the 1997 SAFF Gold Cup in Nepal, and as Chief of Mission with the national youth team in the World Youth Qualifying Round in Hyderabad, India in July 1998.

Death Jehan died on 8 June 2005 in Lahore at the age of 65, due to cancer.

Career statistics

International goals Scores and results list Pakistan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Jehan goal.

Honours

Pakistan Western Railway Aga Khan Gold Cup Winners (1): 1963 Runners-up: 1962

Governor's Cup Winners (1): 1963

Pakistan Merdeka Tournament Runners-up: 1962

Individual Lahore District Football League: Top goal-scorer: 1958 (12 goals)