Cricketing great Hanif Mohammad passes away

Legendary Pakistan Test batsman Hanif Mohammad on Thursday passed away at a Karachi hospital, a hospital spokesman said. He was 81. Known as Asian Bradman, Hanif was suffering from lung cancer for which he underwent 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. He was hospitalised three weeks ago due to breathing problems. 

Hanif represented Pakistan in 55 Tests between 1952 and 1969 and scored 3,915 runs at a healthy average of 43.98, which included 12 glorious hundreds.

Earlier in the day, media reports had said that Hanif had died, but his son Shoaib said that his father’s heartbeat had been restored “six minutes later”.

Born in Junagadh, Hanif still holds the record for highest score (337) in an innings by a Pakistani batsman, followed by Inzamam-ul Haq (329) and Younus Khan (313). He was also named as Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968.