Pakistan mourns as hero Mansoor Ahmed dies aged 49

The hero of Hockey World Cup 1994, goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed passed away at a hospital in Karachi on Saturday.

The 49-year-old had been suffering for weeks from complications stemming from a pacemaker and stents implanted in his heart, and had reached out to India for help in securing a heart transplant.

Ahmed has been a sporting icon in Pakistan since helping the country win the 1994 World Cup in Sydney with his penalty stroke save against the Netherlands in the final.

He played 338 international matches and also participated in three Olympics and various other high-profile events in a career spanning from 1986 to 2000.

Ahmed was bestowed with a presidential award in 1988 and the Pride of Performance in 1994.

Following his death, social sites across the country flooded with messages and here are a few of them:

Deeply saddened on hearing the news of the demise of Hockey Legend, Mansoor Ahmad. May Allah SWT grant him the highest ranks and give his family sabr, Ameen. Today the Nation mourns a true hero.

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— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) May 12, 2018

Extremely sad news of Mansoor Ahmed,one of the best hockey 🏑 goalkeepers Pakistan has ever produced passes away. Allah jannat naseeb karay

— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) May 12, 2018

A very Sad News. Hockey legend,a great human being and a Lovely friend Mansoor Ahmad is no more . #RipMansoorAhmad pic.twitter.com/EPokrIbQbH

— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) May 12, 2018

Sad News :

Pakistan former Olympic champion goal Keeper #MansoorAhmed passed away after prolonged illness.pic.twitter.com/0wEh9nCVDk

— Yaqoob Nohri (@YaqoobOfficial) May 12, 2018

Sad so sad legendary hockey player #MansoorAhmed is a headline of every news channel now when he passed away but no media house covered his story when he was begging for life from Gov't and billionaires of the country . So death is necessary to become headlines .
RIP pic.twitter.com/ciMq5q9UmB

— Adnan Waheed (@hashamkhan0055) May 12, 2018

Saddened to hear about the passing of Olympian & World Cup Hero Mansoor Ahmed. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah and give Patience to his Family & Relatives. #MansoorAhmed #RIPMansoorAhmed pic.twitter.com/lAd86pvYrh

— BaadshahPehalwanKhan (@baadshahpkhan) May 12, 2018

Saddened to hear about the death of our legend Mansoor Ahmed. Hero of World Cup 1994. May ALLAH bless his soul with peace and give enough strength to his family.#MansoorAhmed#Hockey#HockeyWorldCup1994 pic.twitter.com/FDG0fihIat

— Acif (@AcifBinMustafa) May 12, 2018