Played one ODI match, scored 55 - This Indian opener retires from all forms of cricket

Vidarbha veteran cricketer managed to represent India in only one ODI.

Former India opener Faiz Fazal, who played one ODI for the Men in Blue, scoring 55 runs, has called it time on his professional cricket career. The ongoing Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy match against Haryana will be his final outing in cricket.

The 38-year-old opener played 137 first-class matches, 113 List A games, and made 66 T20 appearances. He led Vidarbha in 53 first-class games, 36 times in List-A matches, and in 27 T20 matches.

He made his international debut in an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2016, scoring an unbeaten 55 as India registered a 10-wicket win. It would remain his only appearance in the national colors.

Fazal made his debut in his thirties, becoming the first Indian to do so in 16 years. He is also the only Indian to have scored fifty or more in his one ODI appearance.

Overall, he became the third player to have this distinction, behind Australia’s Ashley Woodcock and England’s Kim Barnett. England’s Ben Foakes and South Africa’s Zubayr Hamza both hit half-centuries in their only ODI appearances, but they are still active and can earn additional caps in the format.

“Tomorrow marks the end of an era”- Faiz Fazal announces retirement from all cricket

Having made 151 on First Class (FC) debut in 2003, Fazal registered low scores of 1 and 0 in his final appearance for Vidarbha to finish with 9184 runs in FC cricket, with 24 centuries and 39 fifties. He also gathered 3641 List A runs at an average of 67.91.

Fazal also played in the IPL for two seasons, representing Rajasthan Royals. He played 12 matches and scored 103 runs with a best of 45.

“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,” Fazal said in an Instagram post.

“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. 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.

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