KARACHI: Pakistan’s ailing cricket legend Hanif Mohammad was battling for survival on Monday after being put on a ventilator following severe breathing problems.

The 82-year-old Hanif, a legendary batsman of his time and a former captain, is currently under treatment at the Aga Khan University Hospital for respiratory complications after undergoing surgery for liver cancer in London about three years ago.

Shoaib Mohammad, Hanif’s oldest son who also played for Pakistan, meanwhile, has appealed to Hanif’s admirers to pray for ‘Little Master’s’ recovery.

Speaking to Dawn late in the evening, Shoaib said Hanif was gradually responding to lung treatment but was still on the ventilator. “When doctors shifted him to the ICU this afternoon, my father’s breathing was severely impaired and therefore he was kept on hundred percent oxygen,” said Shoaib. “But he has gradually responded to treatment Mashallah after two insertions were made into his lungs and he is now on sixty percent oxygen.”

“I request all Hanif Mohammad fans to pray for his well being and hopefully Inshallah he will recover soon.”

Afzal Ahmed, a friend of Mohammad family, further informed that Hanif’s younger son Shahzeb and daughter Seema, who live in England, are returning home by Tuesday to be with their ailing father.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2016