Maharashtra’s Swing Bowling Stalwart Samad Fallah Calls Time on Illustrious Career
Samad Fallah, Maharashtra’s leading wicket-taker in the prestigious Ranji Trophy, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The left-arm swing bowler, known for his unorthodox approach, finished his storied career with an impressive tally of 272 Ranji wickets and 287 first-class wickets overall, spanning 78 matches at an average of 28.48.
Fallah’s ability to swing the ball both ways made him an instrumental figure in Maharashtra’s limited-overs success, as he picked up 75 List A wickets and 62 T20 scalps. His crowning moment came in 2010, when he played a vital role in Maharashtra’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) triumph, registering a match-winning four-wicket haul in the final.
“Fallah’s retirement marks the end of an era, as the backyard cricket enthusiast-turned-domestic cricket legend hangs up his boots after a remarkable career that spanned over 15 years. His impact on the sport, both on and off the field, will undoubtedly continue to inspire the next generation of blind cricket world cup aspirants and club cricket enthusiasts.”
The 39-year-old’s journey to the top of domestic cricket was anything but conventional. Fallah, who never represented any age-group teams, honed his skills in tennis-ball tournaments before making his Maharashtra debut at the age of 22. He immediately made his mark, picking up a match-winning six-wicket haul against Himachal Pradesh in his maiden Ranji Trophy outing in 2007.
Over the years, Fallah established himself as the spearhead of Maharashtra’s seam attack, forming a formidable trio with Anupam Sanklecha and Domnic Muthuswami. This potent combination propelled the team to the Ranji Trophy final in 2013-14 and the semi-finals in 2014-15. Fallah’s finest moment came in the 2014 semi-final against Bengal, where he recorded figures of 7 for 58 in the first innings to help bowl out the opposition for 114.
Known for his unorthodox approach, Fallah often varied his angle and run-up, sometimes even running in a zigzag pattern to unsettle the batters. This unconventional style was a testament to his adaptability and guile, which made him a constant threat to opposing teams.
At the time of his retirement, Fallah stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy among left-arm fast bowlers, with only Jaydev Unadkat (316) ahead of him. His legacy as a club cricket, fantasy club cricket, and Ranji Trophy stalwart will be fondly remembered by Maharashtra cricket fans.
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