Legendary Pakistani Cricketer Hanif Mohammad Passes Away At 81

Pakistan’s legendary batsman and former skipper Hanif Mohammad was hospitalised due to respiratory problems.

Hanif Mohammad (L) along with Sachin Tendulkar (R) during an event in Karachi. (Photo: Reuters)

Legendary Pakistan Test batsman Hanif Mohammad on Thursday passed away at a Karachi hospital, a hospital spokesman confirmed. He was 81.

Known as the Asian Bradman, Hanif was suffering from lung cancer for which he underwent chemotherapy and surgery in London in 2013. He was shifted to the ventilator at the Aga Khan Hospital here a couple of days ago after his health deteriorated.

Hanif was admitted to hospital three weeks ago following breathing problems.

Old Age & It’s problems

Hanif’s son, Shoaib Muhammad informed that his father was admitted to hospital few days back due to respiratory complications.

The surgery in London had helped bring the cancer under control but it has spread with time and a latest biopsy has confirmed this.

Shoaib Mohammad, Former batsman, Pakistan

Doctors in London said that chemotherapy was no longer an effective treatment for Hanif’s cancer, according to Shoaib. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today directed the government to bear all expenses of Hanif’s treatment.

Sharif also ordered the concerned authorities to ensure Hanif is given the best possible treatment. The former Test opener said that the PM’s gesture was welcome, as his family was not in a position to bear costs for the latest treatment for his father.

I work in PIA and the latest treatment we have been told would be double the amount that we paid when he had surgery in London.

Shoaib Mohammad, Former batsman, Pakistan

Hanif - The Number’s King

Hanif, who was born in Junagarh state, appeared in 55 Tests for his country and earned the status of a superstar cricketer in the formative years of Pakistan cricket due to his batting exploits.

He played for Pakistan between 1952-53 and 1969-70 and hit 12 Test hundreds including world record 337, spending nearly 16 hours at the crease, against the West Indies in 1957/58.

Hanif also once scored 499 runs in a first class match in Karachi. His 499 stood as the highest first class innings for more than 35 years before being surpassed by Brian Lara in 1994. Overall Hanif made 55 first-class centuries and finished with a strong career average of 52.32.

(With Inputs from PTI and IANS)