Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar along with former Pakistan cricketer Hanif Mohammad. File Photo: AFPKarachi: Legendary Pakistani batsman Hanif Mohammad passed away, a spokesman of the hospital where he was admitted confirmed Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Mohammad was declared clinically dead for six minutes before he was revived back to life at the Aga Khan hospital.
Hanif's son Shoaib Mohammad had first announced from the hospital on various television channels that his father had passed away after losing a protracted battle with various ailments due to which doctors had put the former legend on a ventilator. But a few minutes later, it was announced that Hanif had not passed away and was alive.
However, he was later confirmed dead.
"His heartbeat had stopped for six minutes but the doctors managed to revive his heartbeat back," Shoaib said earlier.
Shoaib explained that he was on the way to hospital when a relative had informed him that his 81-year-old father had passed away. "I just panicked and started crying but when I reached the hospital I was told his heartbeat had stopped for six minutes but doctors had managed to bring him back," a sobbing Shoaib had said.
However, the hospital later confirmed that the cricket legend passed away.
Hanif Mohammad was battling for his life after being put on a ventilator since July 30.
The original Little Master
Mohammad, was dubbed 'Little Master' years before the sobriquet was given to Sachin Tendulkar.
The 81-year-old known as the 'Little Master' for his batting skills was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013 and went to London for surgery and treatment and returned home well. But his son Shoaib said the cancer had spread with time.
Hanif was a member of Pakistans first touring squad that went to India in 1954/55.
Hanif, who was renowned for his immaculate defensive technique, played in Pakistan's first ever test match and scored 3,915 runs in 55 tests.
He is best known for playing the longest innings in test cricket. In 1958, he batted for 970 minutes to make 337 runs against West Indies in Bridgetown to save the test for Pakistan who were following on. The innings stood as the longest in all first-class cricket for over 40 years.
Hanif scored 499 playing for Karachi in 1958-59, the highest individual score in first-class cricket until West Indian Brian Lara made 501 not out for English county Warwickshire in 1994.
'Hanif took batting to great heights'
"It's sad to hear of Hanif's death and I'd like to extend my condolences and those of everyone here at the ICC to Hanif's family, which counts so many cricketers in its number," International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson said in a statement.
"Hanif took batting to great heights and many batsmen drew inspiration from him.
"His contribution to the game has been enormous and one can only imagine the kind of impact his batting had on others over the years."
Indian batting great Tendulkar took to Twitter to offer his condolences.
"The cricketing legend #HanifMohammad was always positive and supportive. Have fond memories of meeting him in 2005. RIP," the former India batsman tweeted.
Hanif was among four brothers to represent Pakistan and his son, Shoaib, played 45 tests.
(With inputs from agencies)
