Murad meets ailing cricket legend Hanif Muhammad

KARACHI: Cricket legend Hanif Muhammad seeking treatment for cancer at a local hospital was thronged by visitors including the newly elected Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Shah met the cricketer on Monday and inquired about his health. He presented him a cheque worth one million rupees. ‘Hanif Mohammed is a legendary player, he should be supported in every way,’ said Shah admitting his own love for the sport.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced that the federal government would bear all medical expenses of the ailing cricketer.

The 81-year old was hospitalised early Sunday due to complications from a recurring cancer disease. According to doctors the cricketer will undergo a series of tests in Karachi.

Earlier, the batting legend had complained that no government official was responding to his calls for financial assistance. “My son Shoaib has been calling everyone including Sindh’s governor, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif but no one answered,” he had told Geo News. “I consider myself an unfortunate person because of this,” he added. 

The cricket legend, nicknamed "Little Master" played the longest innings in Test history - his 970-minute 337 against West Indies in Bridgetown in 1957-58. The knock was followed a year later with the highest first-class innings to that point, 499 run out.

Hanif was known for his defensive batting but could attack when the situation called for it, and many claim he is the originator of the reverse-sweep.

Hanif represented Pakistan in 55 Tests, scoring 3,915 runs at an average of 43.98. He still holds the record for highest score (337) in an innings by a Pakistani batsman followed by Inzamamul Haq (329) and Younus Khan (313). The veteran was also named as Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968.

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