Pakistan's 'Little Master' and 'Wonder':

Hanif Mohammad

By A.C. De Silva

Hanif Mohammad - the great Pakistani batsman is leading a quiet life in retirement and last Friday (December 21st) he celebrated his 78th birthday. Affectionately known as "Little Master" and 'wonder' during his playing days, he was a household name in the cricketing world.

He was born in India (Junagadth) and moved over to Pakistan when he was 12 years old and he played superbly once he got into the cricket scene he really went places.

When Hanif Mohammad got into the cricket scene, he was small made and was usually referred to as a pocket-size cricketer 5 feet 3 inches in height, but he got his bat to do the talking.

He started as a wicket-keeper, but later changed his interest and took to batting in a great way. Hanif played 55 Tests and gathered 3,915 runs for an average of 43.98 and he had 12 test hundreds. He took the lead role and his contribution to Pakistan cricket has always been recognised.

He first played Test cricket against India when he was 17 years and 300 days in New Delhi in 1952. In the 17 years of first-class cricket against every country playing Test cricket, except of course, South Africa who were then not in the Test fold, and to cap it all, he has scored centuries against everyone of them.

Hanif played in Lanka

Well, Hanif is no stranger to Sri Lanka too. Before Sri Lanka got into the Test fold, he made 114 in the second unofficial Test against Ceylon in Dacca. His name is indelibly written in the record books as a cricketing great of all time and followers of the game in Sri Lanka could justly be proud of his endeavours being Asian with the common aim and cause of spreading the game all round. Until brian Lara came along to score 501 for Warwickshire in a county match, the highest personal score in a first-class game belonged to Hanif Mohammad, who in 1958-59 made 499 beating Sir Donald Bradman's 452 around 30 years before Hanif's effort.

Besides the many achievements in cricket in Pakistan, Hanif has been idolised the world over for two of his wonderful achievements. His score of 499 for Karachi Bahawalpur in 1958-59 is the highest individual score in first class cricket.

Then on the Test scene, Hanif played the longest innings while scoring 337 against the West Indies at Bridgetown in 1958 and in the process stayed at the wicket for 16 hours and 13 minutes which is a stunning effort for stamina and strength. Pakistan earned a draw in the match.

He quit Test cricket on a right note. He made the marvellous score of 337 in 970 minutes against after Pakistan were forced to follow-on in that memorable 55th Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados. It was a record-shattering innings indeed after Pakistan were forced to follow-on after they were shot out for 106 in the first innings after the West Indies made the somewhat huge first innings score of 579 for 9 wickets declared on the first innings.

Endurance record

When Pakistan were forced to follow-on 473 runs behind on the first innings there was little hope for Pakistan to survive in their second innings, but Hanif Mohammad stood out like a beacon in the trying conditions at hand and thwarted the West Indian efforts. Hanif batted for 16 hours and 13 minutes easily beating the previous first-class endurance record of Len Hutton during the Test against the Australians at the Oval in 1938.

Hanif's score failed by only 28 runs to beat Hutton's Wax world Test record of 364 against Australia in 1938, but it was one better than the second highest of 336 by England's Walter Hammond against New Zealand in Auckland in 1933.

Hanif's career record: 55 Tests, 97 innings, 8 not outs, 337 highest, total 3,915 runs, Average 43.98.

No of Centuries: 12, No of half centuries: 15, No of catches: 40.

Bowling: No of deliveries: 206, runs given: 95, wickets taken: 1.The famous coach.

All Gover paid Hanif a great compliment: "He is a natural player. I would not coach him in the nets. I couldn't." Hanif's eldest son - Shoaib played for Pakistan and scored seven test centuries.

Hanif was attached to Pakistan International Airways and has retired. He took to coaching.