Brief profile of Hanif Mohammad

Brief profile of Hanif Mohammad by Ateeq Abdul Rauf

Player:

Nicknamed "the Little Master", Hanif Mohammad holds the record for a Pakistani player’s highest score in international and domestic first-class cricket.

His innings of 337 against West Indies in Bridgetown in 1957-58 remains a Pakistani record to this date. His magnificent knock of 499 the following year survived as a record for many years till Brian Lara eclipsed it by two runs in 1994. Unfortunately for Hanif, he ran himself out while trying to make that elusive 500th run.

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.