Ailing Pakistan legend Hanif Mohammad put on ventilator

Legendary Pakistan batsman Hanif Mohammad, who has been battling lung cancer, was on Monday shifted to a ventilator after his condition worsened during his ongoing treatment here at a private hospital.

Confirming the news, Hanif's son Shoaib Mohammad said his father was admitted to the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi last week after a two-week-long struggle with breathing problems and congestion, the Dawn reported.

The 81-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013.

While admitting that undergoing a surgery in London had brought the disease under control to an extent, Shoaib pointed out that cancer spreads with time. He said doctors in London had ruled out the option of chemotherapy after seeing his father's latest biopsy report.

Shoaib, who is a Pakistan International Airlines employee, said the latest and effective treatments were expensive than the previous one and, therefore, he would seek the government's help or sports' funds for his father's recovery.

Hanif made 55 Test appearances for Pakistan between 1952-53 and 1969-70, having averaged a fine 43.98 including twelve centuries.

Hanif's magnificent moment of his career came in 1967 when he smashed a blistering knock of 337 during his side's drawn Test match against West Indies at Bridgetown. The innings is still regarded as one of the epic knocks in cricket history.

Hanif also bagged Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1968. He was named among the inaugural batch of 55 inductees into the ICC's Hall of Fame.