LAHORE/ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of legendary cricketer Hanif Mohammad.

Sympathizing with the bereaved family, the Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and forbearance to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. “Pakistan has lost a great asset today. The services of Hanif Mohammad for promotion of cricket in Pakistan are matchless. He earned worldwide recognition as Test cricketer through his remarkable performances. He earned goodwill for the country through his illustrious toil for which the entire nation is indebted to him.”

The PM also telephoned Shoaib Mohammad, son of late Hanif Mohammad, and offered condolences on the sad demise of his father. “Your hero and my hero is no more in the world. The little master was ‘our legendary cricketer’ and we will miss him. Pakistani nation will never forget their hero.”

Former president Asif Ali Zardari, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad, Chief Minister Sindh, political and religious parties including MQM, Jammat-e-Islami, PPP, PML-N, PTI and others, paid rich tribute to the little master in their statements and expressed condolences. They said: “Hanif Mohammad was one of the greats of cricket and will be remembered for a long time by cricket lovers. His services to Pakistan are commendable and his personal achievements in cricket are also numerous and remarkable.”

Meanwhile, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, executive committee chairman Najam Sethi, COO Subhan Ahmad, Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, Col (R) Rafi Naseem, Sarfraz Nawaz, current and former cricketers and the entire cricket fraternity also expressed their deep shock and grief over the sad demise. They said: “The entire cricketing fraternity, in this country and all over the cricketing world, is in mourning over the sad demise of Hanif Mohammad. His legend shall live forever. Hanif was a true great of the game, one of the greatest batsmen in Test history and a wonderful person. He will be sadly missed.  "Hanif was the greatest cricketer Pakistan has ever produced and his performances will be remembered for times to come. He was the source of inspiration for the youngsters,” they added.