Former Mumbai pacer Abdul Ismail passes away

Abdul Ismail, a home cricket stalwart who earned the title of ‘Sultan of Swing’ because of his exploits for Mumbai (then Bombay), handed away because of a cardiac arrest in Mumbai on Friday. He was 79.

In a First Class profession spanning a decade since 1969, Ismail was the chief of Mumbai’s tempo pack within the Seventies. He scalped 244 wickets at a median of 18.08 in 75 First Class appearances. Moreover being a member of a number of Duleep Trophy triumphs for West Zone, Ismail was a key architect of Mumbai’s 5 Ranji titles.

In keeping with old-timers, Ismail is likely one of the main names of cricketers who remained unlucky to have missed out on an India cap. Together with Karsan Ghavri and Eknath Solkar, Ismail fashioned the famed Mumbai tempo triumvirate that complimented Padmakar Shivalkar’s left-arm spin within the Seventies.

In January, he was felicitated by the Mumbai Cricket Affiliation to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium. Ismail featured within the first sport on the Wankhede.

By the way, Ismail – son of a taxi driver who went on to pressure batters into false drives – made his debut and the ultimate First Class look within the Irani Cup. Following his retirement, moreover being concerned in teaching, he additionally served as a Mumbai selector throughout age-groups and the Ranji Trophy.