Pakistan was granted test status in 1952 and from then onwards for the next 28 years, Hanif Mohammad and his brothers represented the country without a break — a feat which has not been equalled by any set of brothers anywhere in the world. When Pakistan played its first test in 1952 Hanif and Wazir both represented the country. In the inaugural test against India at Delhi Hanif’s test debut score was a fifty and that was also the first fifty for Pakistan. Thereafter, the Little Master was destined to rise to very lofty heights and indeed he has been one of the best batsmen the country has produced. Against West Indies at Bridgetown in 1958 he scored a mammoth 337 to stave off defeat and in the process batted for nearly three days — 970 minutes to be precise — which is an all time world record for the longest innings in test cricket.
Hanif had also scored a gigantic 499 against Bahawalpur in a first class match which became a world record for the highest ever individual score. This world record lasted for over three decades and was only broken a few years back by Brian Lara who knocked up 501. In the early fifties when Pakistan was the babe of cricket Hanif was the only outstanding batsman which the country boasted of. In the late fifties he was joined by Saeed Ahmed and the two together formed the backbone of our batting. What frequently transpired was that our opening partnership was broken early and Saeed coming in at number three would then pair up with Hanif to retrieve the early damage and the two together would then build up the foundation for a respectable total. Indeed most big partnerships of that era pertained to the Hanif-Saeed combine.
Wazir played along with Hanif for several years and then Mushtaq joined his illustrious brother. From then onwards till 1969 these two brothers continued to represent the country. In 1969 Sadiq made his test debut at Karachi and in that test three brothers played at the same time. In that particular test Hanif and Sadiq opened for Pakistan, but unfortunately what was Sadiq’s debut test was Hanif’s last. The Little Master’s illustrious career was cut short by the arrogance of Kardar who also destroyed the career of Saeed apart from innumerable other cricketers. After Hanif’s forced exit from the scene Mushtaq and Sadiq together represented the country. Towards the late seventies Mushtaq’s career was curtailed by a conspiracy and Sadiq bowed out in 1980.
Hanif has innumerable great innings to his credit and the foremost was his innings of 337. Another classic innings which he played to save Pakistan was at Lord’s in 1967. He made an unbeaten 187 and was ably assisted by Asif Iqbal who contributed 76. In a test career spanning 17 years Hanif played in 55 tests, made 3,915 runs at an average of nearly 44. He also scored 12 centuries and 15 fifties in the process. Mushtaq played 57 tests, scored 3,643 runs at an average of nearly 40, with 10 centuries and 19 fifties, and a best ever score of 201 against New Zealand at Dunedin. He was an extremely dependable middle order batsman.
As captain Mushtaq was the man who put Pakistan properly on the cricket map with a victory against Australia at Sydney in 1976. From then onwards started a spate of victories on foreign soil and Pakistan was then considered as a force to contend with. Under his captaincy we won 8 tests, lost 4 and drew 7. Mushtaq was a genuine all rounder and apart from his impressive batting record he captured 79 wickets with his legspin at an average of 29.21. His best haul was of 5 for 28. Sadiq was a dependable opener with a solid defence and for most part of his career he opened the innings with Majestic Majid. Indeed the opening pair of Majid-Sadiq was the best we had and an opening partnership of 50 was always for the asking. Majid was the aggressive, dominant partner while Sadiq firmly held the other end with solid defence. Furthermore, since it was a right hand-left hand combination it often used to frustrate the opposition. Sadiq played 41 tests, scored 2,679 runs at an average of nearly 36. He also notched up 5 centuries and 10 fifties with a best ever score of 166.
Hanif’s son Shoaib made his test debut in 1983 and was a very sound opening batsman. He played 45 tests and notched up 2,725 runs with an average exceeding 45 which is indeed a very good average. He had a sound temperament and scored 7 centuries including two knocks of 203. He also scored eleven fifties. Sadly such a talented player was throughout the victim of conspiracies.
Pakistan was granted test status in 1952 and from then onwards for the next 28 years, Hanif Mohammad and his brothers represented the country without a break — a feat which has not been equalled by any set of brothers anywhere in the world. When Pakistan played its first test in 1952 Hanif and Wazir both represented the country. In the inaugural test against India at Delhi Hanif’s test debut score was a fifty and that was also the first fifty for Pakistan. Thereafter, the Little Master was destined to rise to very lofty heights and indeed he has been one of the best batsmen the country has produced. Against West Indies at Bridgetown in 1958 he scored a mammoth 337 to stave off defeat and in the process batted for nearly three days — 970 minutes to be precise — which is an all time world record for the longest innings in test cricket.
