Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday directed the government to bear all expenses on treatment of Pakistani cricket legend Hanif Mohammad, who is currently suffering from respiratory complications after being diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago.
According to Radio Pakistan, the premier ordered the authorities concerned to utilise all available resources for Hanif Mohammad’s treatment.
Hanif, 81, was shifted to a hospital after a two-week-long struggle with breathing problems and congestion.
After being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013, Hanif underwent a surgery in London which helped bring it under control, his son Shoaib Mohammad said, adding, “But the cancer spread with time.”
“We sent the latest biopsy to our doctor in London and he said that chemotherapy will not be an effective option for further treatment,” he added.
Shoaib, who is a Pakistan International Airlines employee, said new treatments are expensive and will be difficult for him to finance on his own.
“The latest and effective treatment for this problem costs double the amount of the previous treatment and we will need the help of the government — probably from sports funds to help his (Hanif’s) recovery,” he said.
Born on Dec 21, 1934 in Junagarh, Hanif played 55 Test matches for Pakistan between 1952-53 and 1969-70 and averaged a fine 43.98 comprising twelve hundreds. At his peak, Hanif was considered one of the best batsmen in the world.
Hanif’s marathon knock of 337 that he scored against the West Indies in a Test at Bridgetown in 1957-58, is regarded as one of the epic knocks in the entire cricket history.
