Aamir Atlas Khan has slammed Pakistan’s squash governing body for its part in the 21st century decline of the world’s most successful squash nation.

The Pakistan No.1 is rebuilding his career after a controversial ban by the Pakistan Squash Federation, and suggested the PSF should listen to him rather than treat him punitively.

“What they did was totally unfair,” Khan said of a two-year ban imposed for disappointing performances at last year’s world team championships, a punishment which was then apparently modified to accept his right to compete on the PSA Tour.

“Ban the top player and you ban the person who plays for the country. Banning me was like banning Pakistan squash,” he added indignantly.

“I don’t know what was going on inside the PSF but whatever it was it was bad for the promotion of squash. Ban top players or those playing for the country, and it’s like hitting your own legs with a stick.”

Khan, the 21-year-old nephew of Jansher Khan, a Pakistani legend who won the World Open a record eight times, slumped surprisingly from a career-high world No.14 in late 2009 to 30 in the middle of last year.

However there were signs of improvement for Khan in Grand Central terminal at the Tournament of Champions, the first World Series event of the 2012 PSA Tour. He took Mohammed El Shorbagy, the fastest rising player in the top ten, to four hard games.

Aamir Atlas Khan currently travels alone, something no leading player does, and therefore needs help in acquiring sponsorship for a coach and a physio to accompany him.

Despite this he said he’ll still try to play 13 tournaments in 2012, aiming to reach the world’s top ten this year as he tries to bring back some glory to the land of the sport’s greatest legends.