MUMBAI: On the day when Pakistan team won the exciting match against India in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, one of country’s all-time great cricketers Hanif Mohammad was rushed to hospital after a severe bout of temperature, dizziness, vomiting and nausea.

Hanif, popularly known as the Little Master, has been admitted to the Aga Khan Hospital, his London-based son Shahzeb confirmed on Monday. “Yes, it is true. My father was hospitalised on Sunday in emergency at the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi as he was feeling feverish and dizzy,” said Shahzeb.

“It is yet to be established that this has resulted from food poisoning or his pancreas and small intestine is infected/inflamed due to other reasons,” he said. “He is still in emergency care and once he is stable, he will be shifted to a room for further investigations.”

It may be recalled here that last year Hanif underwent surgery in London for the removal of the cancer-affected right lobe of his liver.

The family of 80-year-old Hanif has sought financial help from Pakistan government for the huge medical expenses incurred during the medical treatment. "So far there’s no news from the Pakistan government although funding was promised,” added Shahzeb.

Meanwhile, another one of the country’s stalwarts Asif Iqbal, who underwent angioplasty in a London hospital recently, is on his way to recovery.

The 70-year old Asif, a former captain, speaking on telephone from his hospital bed on Sunday evening, said: “I am totally not aware about what is happening in the cricketing world and have not been able to follow the Pakistan-India match as well,” said Asif who is settled in Kent for many years now.

“I am out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). By grace of God, I am much better now,” he added.

Asif’s close friend and another former captain Mushtaq Mohammad, while elaborating on Asif’s treatment, said from Birmingham: “He (Asif) had a cardiac attack a few days ago. He was admitted to the hospital, was discharged, but had to be readmitted.

“I received a call from Asif’s wife (Farzana) who said Asif had several blockages in arteries and 4-5 stents have been put after angiography,” added Mushtaq.