Pakistan Cricket loses former batsman Hanif Mohammad at 82

Former Test cricketer and batting legend Hanif Mohammad passed away on Thursday at Aga Khan hospital in Karachi.

The 81-year-old cricketer died after a long battle with cancer which was diagnosed back in 2013.

Hanif was admitted in hospital a week ago due to his respiratory complications which led to his critical condition. He was under treatment at the private hospital just before his death.

Earlier in the day, doctors had declared Hanif to be clinically dead for six minutes, however he was brought back to life.

The doctors stated that the cricketer was suffering multiple breathing and liver problems, having undergone an operation for lung cancer three years ago in London.

Hanif Mohammad played fifty-five test matches for Pakistan and was famous for his exceptional batting skills in International cricket.

The cricketer was admired for his talent of bowling with two hands and opening as a school boy for Pakistan’s first Test match against India in 1952.

He earned the title of “Little Master” because of his outstanding innings against West Indies in Barbados back in 1958, which led the game to a draw.

In this game, the former national team captain scored a tremendous 337 runs, spending over sixteen hours at the crease.

The 970-minute stay score still remains unbeaten in the history of cricket. It is regarded as one of the longest innings in the entire cricket Test history.

Hanif’s grandson Shehzar Mohammad expressed to Dawn News:

“My granddad was a fighter. The way he fought for his life today proves that. He loved me the most and used to sit hours with me so I could play computer games. He was my best friend.”

Sachin Tendulkar expressed his sadness on Twitter and made tribute to the legendary cricketer.

The cricketing legend #HanifMohammad was always positive and supportive. Have fond memories of meeting him in 2005. RIP

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 11, 2016

In 1968, Mohammad Hanif was given the title of Widen Cricketer of the Year.

Furthermore, in 2009 he was among the batch of 55 inductees in the ICC’s Hall of Fame with two other Pakistani players; Imran Khan and Javed Miandad.