The legendary cricketer Hanif Mohammad was the first star of Pakistan cricket, the “Little Master” who played the longest innings in Test history.
The right-handed batsman was one of the country’s early cricketers who played an integral role in Pakistan achieving Test status.
Born on December 21, 1934 in Gujarat, India, Hanif Mohammad went on to represent Pakistan in 55 Test matches. In a Test career spanning 17 years, Hanif scored 3915 runs at an average of 43.98.
The legend died at the age of 81 on 11 August 2016, suffering from lung cancer for two and a half years.
He is best remembered for his knock of 337 against West Indies at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown in the first Test of Pakistan’s tour in 1957-58. Asked to follow on, Pakistan were trailing West Indies by 473 runs in the second innings when Hanif’s knock helped his team post 657 for 8 declared and save the match. The knock was a result of 970 minutes spent at the crease, and is recorded as the longest innings in Test cricket history.
Regarded as the most compact batsman in the world during his playing days, Hanif could bowl with both arms. He also kept stumps at the competitive level at various occasions.
Hanif, a man with nerves of steel often weathered storms with his immaculate technique when Pakistan’s batting line-ups collapsed.
His phenomenal 16-hour-long 337 against West Indies at Bridgetown – which saved Pakistan from imminent defeat – will be always be alive in history books. It remains the longest innings in Test history and was the longest in all first-class cricket for over 40 years.
With such feats, broadcast on radio, he turned cricket in Pakistan from the preserve of the Lahore educated elite into the mass sport it is today.
Although famous for his immaculate defence and never hitting the ball in the air, Hanif could also attack, and was probably the originator of the reverse-sweep.
Hanif’s 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries indicate that he had the mindset to convert the big scores into really big scores. He had an impregnable defence and the adeptness to attack whenever he wished. His magnificent batting earned him an average of over 43, fame, captaincy and a respect that only true greats possess.
In 1958-59, Hanif surpassed Sir Don Bradman’s record for the highest individual first-class innings. Hanif made 499 before being run out attempting his five hundredth run. This mark stood for more than 35 years before being surpassed by Brian Lara in 1994.
In all, Hanif made 55 first-class centuries and finished with a strong career average of 52.32.
Hanif was named as Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968. In January 2009, Hanif, along with two other Pakistani players (Imran Khan and Javed Miandad) were part of the inaugural batch of 55 inductees into the ICC’s Hall of Fame.
His versatility extended to captaining and keeping wicket, and bowling right- and left-handed in Test cricket. But in addition to being the jack of all trades, he was the master of one.
-WI vs Pak, Birmingham, 1975-
-Social media reacts to legend’s death-
Rest In Peace Little Master. The Legendary batsmen Hanif Mohammad will be missed but never forgotten.My Love to Shoaib & family at this time
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) August 11, 2016
@sufisal sad news
— Faisal Iqbal☄ (@FaisalIqbalCric) August 11, 2016
Famous Pakistani Cricketer Hanif Mohammad is no more with us. May He RIP Aameen
Condolences on behalf of QT AltafHussain & all MQM members— Wasay Jalil (@WasayJalil) August 11, 2016
