The world-renowned left half was born at Abbottabad in March 1941 and earned his first international call-up in 1965 for Pakistan’s tour of Indonesia.

He played in the Asian Games in 1966 in Bangkok, where Pakistan won the silver medal after losing 1-0 to rivals India in the final.

Two years later, in Mexico City, the player popularly known as Billa Lala, helped Pakistan regain their Olympic title from India.

They lifted their second title following Rome 1960 when they beat Australia 2-1 in the final.

In 1970, when the Asian Games returned to Bangkok, Pakistan reversed the result in the previous edition by beating India 1-0 in the final after extra-time.

Pakistan completed a hat-trick of titles the following year when they won the inaugural edition of the International Hockey Federation World Cup in Barcelona.

Having beaten India 2-1 in the semi-final, Pakistan defeated host nation Spain 1-0 in the final.

After that victory, Billa Lala was awarded "Pride of Performance," the highest civil award by the Government of Pakistan, in recognition of his contributions towards hockey in the country.

He completed an outstanding career at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich when Pakistan won another silver medal after being beaten 1-0 in the final by home country West Germany.

Asian Hockey Federation President Fumio Ogura led the tributes to Lala, who died on March 9.

"It is very saddening to learn of this loss," he said.

"I will pray for the departed and also that his family find solace in this tough time."