On his 87th birthday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) honored Pakistani icon Hanif Mohammad. The famous batsman was born on December 21, 1934, in Junagadh, India, and set a historic record in Test cricket by scoring 337 runs in a 970-minute innings against the West Indies. In 2016, he passed away.
“On this day in 1934, Hanif Mohammad, the architect of the longest Test innings, a 970-minute vigil for 337 runs at Bridgetown in 1958, was born,” the ICC wrote on Twitter.
On this day in 1934, the architect of the longest Test innings, a 970-minute vigil for 337 runs in Bridgetown in 1958, Hanif Mohammad was born 🌟 pic.twitter.com/qQIBO5xkgR
— ICC (@ICC) December 21, 2021
Mohammad Hanif, sometimes known as the Little Master, was the first Pakistani cricketer to play the longest Test innings ever. A year later, the highest first-class innings to that point, 499 run out, was followed by the highest first-class innings to that point, 499 run out. On his birthday, the Pakistan Cricket Board also paid tribute to the icon.
Remembering Hanif Mohammad on his birth anniversary: The Pride of Pakistan who played one of the most iconic Test innings ever; 970-minute, 337 against West Indies. Widely regarded as one of the most distinguished Test openers. Happy Birthday 'Little Master' Hanif Mohammad🎂 pic.twitter.com/k5FdJSqYkJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 21, 2021
He played 55 Tests for Pakistan, scoring 3,915 runs at an average of 43.98. He still maintains the record for the highest score by a Pakistani batsman in an innings (337), followed by Inzamam ul Haq (329), and Younus Khan (327). (313). In 1968, the veteran was awarded Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
Hanif Mohammad was inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame alongside two other Pakistani players, Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, in January 2009.
