Pakistan legend Hanif Muhammad admitted to hospital with respiratory problems

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Hanif Muhammad has been admitted to a hospital after suffering from respiratory problems.

82-year-old Hanif was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago. He had undergo chemotherapy and surgery for his lung cancer in 2013 in London.

Hanif's son, Shoaib Muhammad told PTI that his father was admitted to hospital few days back due to respiratory complications.

"The surgery in London had helped bring the cancer under control but it has spread with time and a latest biopsy has confirmed this," Shoaib said.

Shoaib, a former Test batsman of distinction himself, said doctors in London had said that chemotherapy was no longer an effective treatment for the cancer.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday directed that the government should bear all expenses of Hanif's treatment.

Shoaib said they had been told that the PM ordered the concerned authorities to ensure Hanif is given the best possible specialist treatment.

The former Test opener said that the PM's gesture was welcome as his family was not in a position to bear costs for the latest treatment for his father.

"I work in PIA and the latest treatment we have been told would be double the amount that we paid when he had surgery in London," he added.

Hanif, who was born in Junagarh state, appeared in 55 Tests for his country and earned the status of a superstar cricketer in the formative years of Pakistan cricket due to his batting exploits.

He played for Pakistan between 1952-53 and 1969-70 and hit 12 Test hundreds including world record 337, spending nearly 16 hours at the crease, against the West Indies in 1957/58. Hanif also once scored 499 runs in a first class match in Karachi.

His 499 stood as the highest first class innings for more than 35 years before being surpassed by Brian Lara in 1994.

Overall Hanif made 55 first-class centuries and finished with a strong career average of 52.32.