It was in 1969 that Brian Lara, one of the greatest batsmen, was born. It was also the year when the most renowned batsman Hanif Mohammad, who introduced Pakistan to the cricket world with his triple century, was forced quit.

The same year, three Mohammad brothers -- Hanif, Mushtaq and Sadiq -- added a new chapter to Pakistan’s cricket history by playing together for the national team against New Zealand in Karachi Test that began at National Stadium on October 24. Sadiq, the youngest, made his Test debut in that match. He scored 69, studded with ten boundaries.

Incidentally, this was also the year when I started my career as a full-time journalist and broke the news of ‘Little Master’ Hanif Mohammad’s retirement and got the reward on the spot. From a trainee sub-editor, I was made a full-fledged reporter.

Before the commencement of Pakistan’s 1969 three Test series against Kiwis, I was working for PPA (Pakistan Press Association) (now PPI - Pakistan Press International). I was assigned to work with the news editor of PPA’s foreign desk.

And within months came a God-sent opportunity which I grabbed with both hands. Mr. Farooq Kohari, then our sports correspondent, wanted to proceed to Paris on vacation but his request for leave was turned down by the Bureau Manager Jawaid Bukhari as there was no reporter available to look after his sports beat.

Within seconds, I offered to cover the coming Test series. Initially, Mr. Bukhari said No to me: "You are too junior to cover a Test match."

Then somehow, the manager changed his mind and allowed me to go ahead. I had a sleepless night before I put my portable typewriter on a table in the press gallery of Karachi’s National Stadium on Day One of the first Pakistan-New Zealand Test. I felt myself lonely in a strange atmosphere. No one even said hello to me.

I was convinced that the task of covering the Test will be challenging. I also thought that Karachi Test will test my nerves, capabilities and determination. Obviously, I was nerves but then a thought came to my mind: Go for an exclusive story to make a good beginning. In the end I got a scoop.

I was taught during journalism classes in Karachi University that successful journalist must keep his eyes and ears open. I concentrated on what was happening on and off the field. And within next two days I was up in the air.

It was on the third day of the Test that Mr Abdul Hafiz Kardar, a former Pakistan captain and then a big gun in the Cricket Board, walked into the press box and asked a journalist sitting next to me: "Go to dressing room and meet Hanif Mohammad during the lunch break."

AHK, as he was called by many of his journalist friends, revisited the press gallery to enquire about the outcome of the reporter’s meeting with Hanif. "Yes, I met Mr. Hanif. He’s Okay," explained the reporter.

The red-faced AHK used a few harsh word in anger while leaving the Press Gallery. I realized quickly that something is wrong with Hanif who had dropped one or two difficult catches in the slips on the bowling of spinner Parvez Sajjad.

During tea time, I sneaked into the dressing room and asked a blunt question: "Mr Hanif, are you retiring from Test cricket?"

He looked at me and said after a pause: "It means Kardar has now assigned you to dig the story. Tell him, I’m not retiring."

The same evening, however, I received a phone call from the Little Master who asked me to see him at his Hill Park residence to discuss what was cooking up.

Hanif somehow liked my approach of handling the report and promised to give me an exclusive interview in case he decided to retire.

Two days before the second Test at Lahore that began on October 30, I met Hanif again. He told me that he would quit the game in case he was not selected for the Lahore Test.

Finally, we were waiting eagerly for Hanif’s elder brother Wazir’s telephone call from Lahore. Wazir, who was a member of the selection committee at that time, told us: "It’s all over. Hanif has not been selected for Lahore Test."

Before this emotional moment, I had written Hanif’s interview which was already approved by the legendary cricketer.

Controlling his emotions and tears, Hanif gave me a go-ahead signal. His wife who was sitting grim on the other sofa started crying: "Please, please Hanif, don’t announce your retirement or at least let the nation know that you are being forced to quit the game you loved so much."

Consoling his better-half, Hanif said: "I have to be tight-lipped for I have to protect the interest of my two younger brothers -- Mushtaq and Sadiq -- who both are at their brilliant best at the moment."

With Hanif’s permission I phoned my national desk editor to release his interview. All the newspapers carried Hanif retirement story on Page 1 with blazing headlines: ‘The cricket giant bows out’, ‘The Little Master calls it quits’ and the like.

Some papers also came out with editorials the same day paying tribute to the gentle giant of Pakistan cricket.

Next day, Mr Aslam Ali, PPA’s General Manager, walked to the reporters’ desk and gave me whatever he had in his pocket as a reward for breaking the sports news of the year.

I got much more the following morning. A commendation letter raising my salary from Rs 150 to Rs 350 per month -- a raise of Rs 200.

I also got a cash award plus a piece of woollen cloth for my suite.

Several years after Hanif’s retirement, I had the opportunity to meet another ‘Little Master" Sunil Gavaskar when Bishen Singh Bedi-led Indian team toured Pakistan in 1978. I asked a very simple question: "Your comment on Hanif’s batting capabilities."

"Oh! You’re talking about Hanif Mohammad. I have been his fan from childhood," said the Indian batting genius who had the rare honour of scoring a century in each innings against Pakistan in Karachi Test (November 14-19, 1978).

Despite Gavaskar’s dynamic efforts, India lost that Test by eight wickets. "I was a little boy, yet I was keen to see Hanif in action during first Test against India (December 2-7, 1960) in Bombay (now Mumbai)," said diminutive ‘Sunny’.

Gavaskar started narrating his story of the love affair with the senior Little Master while holding a glass of orange juice during an Indian Consulate reception in Karachi.

"I was down with fever listening to radio commentary. When Hanif scored 100, I jumped out of my bed and rushed to the Stadium to catch a glimpse of his batting style," he said.

"Indian bowlers were desperate but without luck to get Hanif’s wicket. Finally the Pakistani batting ace was run out for 160 (with 17 elegant boundaries). I thought that it was only a fielder not the bowler who got him run out."

I had also the opportunity to speak to Brian Lara in Toronto soon after I immigrated to Canada from Saudi Arabia in 1997. He described Hanif in one line: "A great batsman of high calibre."