Azam Khan, regarded as one of the greatest squash players, has died from the coronavirus in the United Kingdom, his family said on Saturday.

Azam, 95, had won the British Open four times between 1959 and 1962.

He was the younger brother of squash legend Hashim Khan, who won the British Open seven times between 1951 and 1958, and an uncle of squash great Jahangir Khan.

Jahangir told DawnNewsTV that Azam's family members had confirmed he died of Covid-19.

Expressing grief at the squash great's demise, Jahangir said along with Hashim, Roshan Khan and Mohibullah Khan senior, Azam had played a major role in acquainting the Pakistani nation with squash.

"These players ruled the world of squash for 13 years despite the difficulties they must have had to face in the initial years of Pakistan's independence," Jahangir said, terming them "legends".

After his brother, Azam had continued the family's association with the sport's most coveted title, firstly finishing as runner-up to Hashim, who passed away in 2013, in three British Open finals before going on to claim the title four times.

The two brothers were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the World Squash Awards in the UK in 2008.

The Pakistan Cricket Board in a post on Instagram said it was "saddened with the news of" Khan's passing and offered its condolences to his family and friends.