KARACHI: Pakistan cricket legend Hanif Mohammad who passed away on Thursday after protracted illness was laid to rest here on Friday afternoon at the PECHS Graveyard amidst emotional scenes.

The former national team skipper’s Namaz-e-Janaza was offered after Friday prayers at Masjid-e-Nomani near his residence in Al-Hilal Society opposite Askari Park (Old Sabzi Mandi).

The prayers were led by eminent religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani with around 3,000 people from different walks of life attending the funeral prayers.

Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad, who was away in England when his older brother passed away on Thursday, arrived in city on Friday morning to join other family members including Shoaib Mohammad and brothers Raees and Sadiq Mohammad.

Among notable personalities in attendance were former Pakistan cricket captains Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Wasim Bari, Moin Khan, squash legend Jahangir Khan, ex-hockey Olympians Samiullah, Shahid Ali Khan, Ayaz Mahmood, Qamar Ibrahim, Waseem Feroze, Sameer Hussain, discarded Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, ex-Test cricketers and selector Saleem Jaffer, Ejaz Faqih, Aftab Baloch, Nadeem Khan, Rashid Khan, Azeem Hafeez, Azam Khan, current Pakistan player Anwar Ali, ex-internationals Moin-ul-Atiq and Zahid Ahmed, former first-class cricketers including Aqeel Memon, Masood-ul-Hasan, Anwaar-ul-Haq, Shoaib Habib, ex-KCCA president Prof Sirajul Islam Bukhari, current KCCA chief Prof Ejaz Faruqi, president of Pakistan Billiard and Snooker Association Alamgir Sheikh, a host of cricket organizers and admirers of the legendary batsman.

Former chief selector Salahuddin Sallu, adviser South to Chairman PCB, and General Manager NSK Arshad Khan represented the Pakistan Cricket Board at the funeral on behalf of Chairman Shaharyar Khan.

Well known political figures including Sindh Sports Minister Mohammad Baksh Mehar, MNA Iqbal Mohammad Ali and Senator Saeed Ghani were also present on the occasion.

Speaking to reporters, a teary-eyed Mushtaq said a huge vacuum had been created by the demise of his illustrious brother.

“We all know what a great player he was. The world has lost one of the finest cricketers but we lost someone much bigger than that. I must tell you that Hanif bhai was a noble human being and a philanthropist as well. There were countless occasions during his life when he extended a helping hand to those in need,” said Mushtaq as he was overcome by emotions.

“He was a patriotic Pakistani who loved his country and wanted to do his best for the nation.”

Sadiq recalled how Hanif was always his mentor. “During the period he was in hospital, he used to recollect memory of many things he shared with us. And although his condition prevented him from talking, Hanif bhai still managed to communicate with me in sign language. He made special mention of my debut Test [against New Zealand in Karachi, 1969-70] because it was also his final match for Pakistan.”

Raees – second eldest of the five Mohammad brothers and the only not to play Test cricket – recalled how he loved to accompany Hanif to the matches. “Although I was older to him, Hanif was very close to me. He was very fond of me and I made it a practice to act as Hanif’s kit-man wherever we went to play matches. I simply loved doing that for my adorable brother,” said the frail-looking Raees in a feeble voice.

Zaheer, the ex-ICC president who earned the title of Asian Bradman for his prolific run-making ability, paid rich tribute to Hanif and said: “For me he was the only source of inspiration. Whatever I achieved in cricket was due to the encouragement of Hanif bhai. I shall be always grateful to him for his kind help during my career. Such was his belief in me that he often used to say I was capable of breaking his records. I heeded to Hanif bhai’s advice when he said that I would be better suited to bat at No 3 on the England tour in 1971 and I scored 274 at Edgbaston in my very first Test innings there,” recalled Zaheer.

Hockey great Samiullah, while talking to Dawn, said Hanif was a regular visitor to the Hockey Club of Pakistan (now renamed after Abdul Sattar Edhi) and always took deep interest in the sport. “He was fond of hockey as well and often he came to the stadium to encourage us. The best thing I can say that Hanif bhai was a true sportsman who inspired a lot of players. His words of wisdom made us better hockey players,” said Samiullah.

Former first-class cricketer Anwaar-ul-Haq urged the PCB authorities to name a stadium after the legendary player. “It’s real shame that when our heroes are alive we seldom dedicate anything to them. But when they pass away we speak of a lot of good things about them. Now that Hanif bhai is no more, the only way we could repay him for his tremendous contribution to cricket is by naming a cricket stadium after him or institute a top-level national tournament in his name,” Anwaar urged.

Meanwhile, Soyem will be held between Asr and Maghrib at the Masjid-e-Nomani on Saturday while arrangements for ladies have been made at the residence.

Sat 13th august between asr and maghrib Gents: at jaama masjid nomani al hilal society opposite old sabzi Mandi/Askari park university rd khi Ladies :at home c-10 al hilal society.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2016