In a heartfelt tribute to one of Pakistan cricket’s pioneers, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially renamed the grade-II four-day cricket tournament as the Hanif Mohammad Trophy. Commencing from the 2023-24 domestic season, the Hanif Mohammad Trophy will feature competition among ten regional teams, signifying the PCB’s commitment to preserving the legacies of cricket legends.
The decision to rename the tournament is part of the PCB’s ongoing effort to honor cricket luminaries and ensure their monumental contributions remain etched in the annals of the sport’s history.
Chairperson of the PCB Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, shared his sentiments, stating, “This step is a homage to a true cricket legend whose grace, dedication, and timeless contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark on the hearts of cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan and around the world. It is of utmost importance that we remember our greats and take steps that keep their memories alive.”
Shoaib Mohammad, son of the late Hanif Mohammad and a former Pakistan Test cricketer, expressed his gratitude towards the PCB for recognizing his father’s extraordinary contributions to cricket. He remarked, “It is an amazing feeling to know that the board continues to remember the sacrifices and hard work of cricketers of the early days who played a pivotal role in putting Pakistan on the world map. I hope our young domestic cricketers get inspiration from his career and go on to serve Pakistan.”
Fondly referred to as the ‘Little Master,’ Hanif Mohammad was an exceptional batting talent during the nascent years of Pakistan cricket. Inaugurating his Test career as a teenager in 1952, he went on to amass 3,915 runs in 55 Tests, boasting an impressive average of 43.98, including 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries. Hanif Mohammad’s name is synonymous with his record-setting innings of 337 against the West Indies in 1958, which remains the highest individual score by a Pakistani in Test cricket.
In addition to his on-field achievements, he led the Pakistan team in 11 Tests between 1964 and 1967 before retiring in 1969. His first-class career was equally illustrious, with a staggering 17,059 runs at an average of 52.32, featuring 55 centuries and 66 half-centuries in a career spanning from 1951 to 1976. His unforgettable knock of 499 for Karachi against Bahawalpur in 1959 still stands as the highest individual score by a Pakistani in first-class cricket.
The Hanif Mohammad Trophy serves as a stepping stone for regional teams to qualify for the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the premier first-class tournament. The winner of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy earns promotion to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while the team at the bottom of the first-class tournament is relegated to the grade-II event.
The renaming of the grade-II tournament as the Hanif Mohammad Trophy is a heartfelt gesture that not only pays tribute to a cricket legend but also reinforces the importance of cherishing Pakistan’s cricketing heritage.
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