Former India all-rounder cricketer Syed Abid Ali dies at 83
The medium pacer was known for his exceptional fielding, and quick running between wickets, as per ESPNcricinfo.
One of the highlights of his career came with the bat when he hit the winning runs at The Oval in 1971, sealing India's first-ever Test series victory in England. His decisive stroke, a square cut, never reached the boundary as jubilant fans stormed the field in celebration.
Abid Ali also played in India's first five ODIs, making his debut in the format in 1974 and featuring in all five matches until 1975. In Tests, he took 47 wickets, with career-best figures of 6/55 on his debut against Australia in Adelaide. A versatile cricketer, he also recorded six Test fifties, including twin half-centuries in Sydney during his debut series.
Though he occasionally batted at the top of the order, Abid Ali was primarily a lower-middle order batter, with most of his Test innings—20 out of 53—coming at No. 8.
He was also involved in a rare controversy during a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch, where he was no-balled for throwing, reportedly in protest against Kiwi bowler Gary Bartlett's action, which the Indian team believed to be suspect.
A stalwart for Hyderabad in domestic cricket, Abid Ali played 212 first-class matches over two decades, amassing 8732 runs with 13 centuries and 41 fifties, while also taking 397 wickets at an average of 28.55. His final Test appearance came in December 1974, his last ODI in June 1975, and he played his final first-class match in 1978-79.
After retiring from playing, he transitioned into coaching, mentoring Andhra Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy and also taking up coaching roles with the United Arab Emirates and Maldives. In his later years, he resided in Tracy, California, where he spent time with his family until his passing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
British & Irish Lions seal 'fairy-tale' victory to beat Australia and clinch series
A last-gasp try from Hugo Keenan earned the British & Irish Lions a thrilling comeback victory over Australia that sealed the three-Test series with a match still to play. It was a very different Australia from the first Test when they had gone down 27-19 in Brisbane after finding themselves 17-5 at the break. This time, it was the home side who dominated from the start in front of 90,307 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against a sloppy Lions, with the Wallabies establishing a 23-5 lead thanks to tries from James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright. But Andy Farrell's side produced the response needed with Tom Curry and Huw Jones going over before the break, reducing the deficit to six points. A Tadhg Beirne try in the second half left the Lions just two points behind before Keenan's big moment in the 80th minute when he rode a tackle to claim the decisive try. The finish was unbearably tense as match officials checked the score to see if there had been a dangerous clearout by Jac Morgan earlier in the move before clearing the Wales captain of any wrong doing. The Irish full-back was injured at the start of the tour and then missed out on his Lions debut after taking ill. 'I was screaming pass it, pass it,' said coach Farrell on match-winner Keenan. 'After what he has been through, it was all worth it. To score at the death of a Lions Test. 'These players have dreamt of playing for the Lions. It was a fairy tale. We want to win every game but we will take a breath after that one.' They remain unbeaten after eight tour games in Australia with only the final dead rubber Test in Sydney next weekend standing between them and a whitewash. Lions captain Maro Itoje – a colossus for the tourists – added: Big Faz [Andy] was telling us to play big and be bigger all the time and believe in ourselves. I give credit to the bench they came on and made the difference. 'It's amazing as I always say it's not about me, it's about all those on the pitch and those Lions fans in the stands.' After a shaky start that saw Australia take a 6-0 advantage – courtesy of two fine penalties taken in style by Tom Lynagh – Lions hit back in the simplest of fashions in the 17th minute when Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan tapped and powered over the line. But that joy was short-lived as a spell of home pressure ended with veteran prop James Slipper squeezing his way over restoring their six-point lead, with Tommy Freeman being sent to the sin-bin because of poor Lions discipline. And it was to prove costly as things quickly went from bad to worse for the tourists as Australia took complete control of the Test courtesy of quick-fire tries from scrum-half Gordon – scything through the Lions defence – and full-back Wright to establish a 23-5 lead just past the half-hour mark. The latter try saw Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii power through before feeding Wright who raced clear to touch down, celebrating with his arms outstretched in front of ecstatic MCG home fans. But the game seemingly hurtling away from them, the Lions responded with two tries of their own in the space of four minutes. First, Jamison Gibson-Park combined with Jack Conan, to set up Curry for a one-on-one which he finished confidently in the corner. Then Scottish centre Jones powered over before international teammate Russell added the extras as a breathless first half ended with Australia holding a 23-17 lead. The points may have dried up after the break but the tension remained consistently high. After Lynagh took the lead back up to nine with a penalty, Curry then produced a try-saving tackle to deny Suaalii who would have put Australia into another commanding position. And Curry's efforts were swiftly rewarded when Ireland's Beirne surged through three Wallabie tackles to score, following fine work by James Lowe, with Finn Russell converting from out wide, bringing the Lions to within two points. Then, with seconds left on the clock, Keenan would go over to break Australian hearts and earn the Lions a series victory with the final Test in Sydney still to play. It is the first time since 1997 that the Lions have wrapped up a Test series with a game to spare, and not since 1966 have they managed the feat against Australia. 'I suppose you don't think about scoring the winner, especially with my try-scoring record,' said Keenan. 'It was of the back of countless phases, it will be one I saviour forever.'
Dubai Eye
9 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
David blasts fastest T20 ton for Australia in series win over West Indies
Middle order batter Tim David smashed the fastest Twenty20 International century for Australia as they sealed a six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third T20 on Friday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match series. David hit 11 sixes and six fours to finish on unbeaten 102 off 37 deliveries, with Australia crushing the hosts with 23 balls to spare at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts. "I was just having a great time in the middle playing for Australia...I didn't think I would get the opportunity to get a hundred for Australia so I'm stoked," David said. "The pitch was good and small boundaries so you have to back your strengths. Warner Park is a great place to bat and it was great to have experience here in the CPL (Caribbean Premier League). "I've spent a lot of time working on power hitting but now I'm working on my shot selection." Put into bat after Australia won the toss, West Indies got off to a solid start helped by a 125-run opening stand between Shai Hope and Brandon King. Mitchell Owen provided Australia with a much-needed breakthrough when he took out King, who had holed out to deep forward square, while Shimron Hetmyer (9), Sherfane Rutherford (12) and Rovman Powell (9) were all removed cheaply. West Indies' total was boosted by a fine unbeaten 102 off 57 balls by captain Hope as they posted 214-4. Australia's reply initially stuttered as they found themselves 61-3 in 5.5 overs, but David scored a sparkling ton to eclipse Josh Inglis' record (43 balls) for fastest T20 century for Australia by six deliveries. "I don't think we had enough runs on the board. On a pitch like that with the dimension of the ground, we know it's going to be hard to defend. I think we fell a few runs short and with the ball we needed to pick up more wickets," Hope said. "We're very powerful strikers but we have to give credit to the Australian bowlers, they've bowled very well in the death overs." Australia had won the first T20 by three wickets and second by eight wickets. "We've played well so far in the series. We've executed well with the ball and there are no words for that innings from Tim David. We're giving guys opportunities in different roles. As a group we've played really good cricket," Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said.
ARN News Center
10 hours ago
- ARN News Center
David blasts fastest T20 ton for Australia in series win over West Indies
Middle order batter Tim David smashed the fastest Twenty20 International century for Australia as they sealed a six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third T20 on Friday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match series. David hit 11 sixes and six fours to finish on unbeaten 102 off 37 deliveries, with Australia crushing the hosts with 23 balls to spare at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts. "I was just having a great time in the middle playing for Australia...I didn't think I would get the opportunity to get a hundred for Australia so I'm stoked," David said. "The pitch was good and small boundaries so you have to back your strengths. Warner Park is a great place to bat and it was great to have experience here in the CPL (Caribbean Premier League). "I've spent a lot of time working on power hitting but now I'm working on my shot selection." Put into bat after Australia won the toss, West Indies got off to a solid start helped by a 125-run opening stand between Shai Hope and Brandon King. Mitchell Owen provided Australia with a much-needed breakthrough when he took out King, who had holed out to deep forward square, while Shimron Hetmyer (9), Sherfane Rutherford (12) and Rovman Powell (9) were all removed cheaply. West Indies' total was boosted by a fine unbeaten 102 off 57 balls by captain Hope as they posted 214-4. Australia's reply initially stuttered as they found themselves 61-3 in 5.5 overs, but David scored a sparkling ton to eclipse Josh Inglis' record (43 balls) for fastest T20 century for Australia by six deliveries. "I don't think we had enough runs on the board. On a pitch like that with the dimension of the ground, we know it's going to be hard to defend. I think we fell a few runs short and with the ball we needed to pick up more wickets," Hope said. "We're very powerful strikers but we have to give credit to the Australian bowlers, they've bowled very well in the death overs." Australia had won the first T20 by three wickets and second by eight wickets. "We've played well so far in the series. We've executed well with the ball and there are no words for that innings from Tim David. We're giving guys opportunities in different roles. As a group we've played really good cricket," Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said.
