Squash legend Jahangir Khan carried the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in his homeland Pakistan this week in what he described as "one of the most important events in my life".

The record ten times British Open champion, who is now President of the World Squash Federation, was the last torchbearer on the final leg of its journey in the Pakistan capital Islamabad, handing it on to delegates from New Delhi, the next city in the worldwide journey.

"Though Squash is not an Olympic sport, I feel extreme pride at carrying the torch in Islamabad, keeping in view Pakistan's exemplary friendship with China," said Pakistan sporting hero Khan, widely considered to be the greatest squash player in the history of the game.

"It has always been a dream for me to be an Olympian.  It's a special way for me to be in Olympic Games.  It seems you passed the final line and won a gold medal in the Olympics.  What I am doing today is accomplishing something like that," said Jahangir Khan.

"Squash is played all over the world.  The sport is growing in China too - and we recently staged the Beijing Open in the country," added Khan.  "Next year, it will be decided whether the sport will be included in 2016 Olympic Games.  I am very optimistic for the future prospects for squash.

During an extraordinary career, Khan was unbeaten in competitive play for five years from 1981 to 1986 - and won the World title six times and the British Open a record ten times.