MUMBAI: Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad, known as the Little Master of cricket, is being treated for cancer in London.

On Sunday afternoon, he was pleasantly surprised to get a telephone call from another Little Master, India’s Sunil Gavaskar.

Speaking exclusively over telephone from his daughter Seema’s house, Gavaskar inquired after Hanif’s health and wished him a speedy recovery.

“Both Sunil and myself chatted for over five minutes and I was highly impressed with his gesture,” said Hanif.

“Gavaskar, in fact, is the Little Master number one, I come second,” said Hanif in his magnanimous comment for the prolific former Indian batsmen.

Elaborating about his recovery and treatment, Hanif said: “I feel much better after the successful operation here.

“Visited doctor once and will be seeing a surgeon once next week before returning to Karachi on 18th or 21st of August,” he said.

Hanif’s younger son Shahzeb said: “During my dad’s rehabilitation here, he has been receiving several calls from the former cricketers and well wishers.”

“Sunil Gavaskar, Rameez Raja, Zaheer Abbas, Sarfraz Nawaz, Asif Masood, Asif Iqbal have all called to inquire after my father.

Geoff Boycott, Mike Brearely and the MCC have also sent messages and flowers for my father and wished him recovery which is very heartening for us indeed.”