Vidarbha’s seasoned opening batsman, Faiz Fazal, has declared his retirement from professional cricket following the team’s final group stage match in the ongoing 2023-24 Ranji Trophy against Haryana.
Fazal will conclude his career as Vidarbha’s top run-scorer in both first-class and List-A cricket. The 38-year-old has amassed over 9,000 runs in 137 first-class matches and more than 3,600 runs in 113 List-A appearances.
Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the only player to participate in over 100 red-ball games for Vidarbha, notching up 34 centuries across various formats in his domestic career.
Fazal declared his retirement from professional cricket through his official Instagram account.
“Tomorrow marks the end of an era as I step onto the Nagpur ground for the last time, where my journey in first-class cricket began 21 incredible years ago. It’s been an unforgettable ride, filled with cherished memories that I’ll hold dear forever.”
“Representing both the Indian Cricket Team and Vidarbha has been the greatest honor of my life, and donning those cricket jerseys has always filled me with immense pride,” Faiz Fazal wrote.
“Farewell to my beloved Number 24 jersey – you’ll be deeply missed. As one chapter closes, another awaits, and while bidding adieu to my professional cricket career fills me with mixed emotions, I’m eagerly looking forward to embracing the new adventures that lie ahead,” he added.
Fazal led Vidarbha to their inaugural Ranji Trophy title in 2017-18, and the team, under his captaincy, retained the title the subsequent season. However, the experienced player has faced challenges in the current Ranji season, managing just 56 runs in three games with an average of 11.20, including two ducks.
Faiz Fazal participated in a few IPL matches and represented India in a single ODI
Faiz Fazal was chosen for the solitary ODI led by MS Dhoni against Zimbabwe in 2016, where he contributed an undefeated 55 runs off 61 deliveries, aiding India in securing a ten-wicket victory in the series’ final match. However, after that, Fazal hasn’t been included in any of India’s three formats.
During his stint with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL from 2009 to 2011, the left-handed cricketer played ten matches in IPL 2010, amassing 164 runs with an average of 20.50 and a strike rate of 106.49. Although he participated in two games the following season, his runs were limited to 19.
In addition to his batting, Faiz Fazal, a right-arm medium bowler, clinched 41 wickets across various formats in his distinguished domestic cricket career.
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