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Faiz Fazal

Faiz Fazal is an Indian first-class cricketer who plays as a left-handed opening batsman for Vidarbha in domestic competitions organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He has been a long-standing member of the Vidarbha cricket team and was part of the side that won the Ranji Trophy for the first time in the 2017–18 season, captaining the team to the title.

Full name Faiz Yusuf Fazal
Born 15 October 1985, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Batting Left-handed
Role Opening batsman
Domestic team Vidarbha
Association Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA)
National side India (One Day International debut, 2016)

Background

Born in Nagpur, Faiz Fazal came through the age-group structure of the Vidarbha Cricket Association. He represented India at the under-19 level, including participation in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2004 held in Bangladesh, where he played alongside several future India international cricketers.

Domestic career

Fazal made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in the early 2000s and has since been one of the most experienced top-order batsmen in the Indian domestic circuit. Known for his patient, accumulating style at the top of the order, he has scored consistently in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Ranji Trophy title

He led Vidarbha to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in the 2017–18 season, with the final played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur. Vidarbha defeated Delhi in the final, marking a landmark moment for cricket in the region. Fazal's leadership at the top of the order, alongside contributions from teammates such as Wasim Jaffer, Akshay Wakhare and Rajneesh Gurbani, was central to the campaign.

Indian Premier League

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Fazal has been associated with franchises including the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the early seasons of the tournament, although he has had limited opportunities at that level.

International career

Fazal made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India during the tour of Zimbabwe in June 2016, opening the batting in the limited-overs series in Harare. He scored a half-century on debut. The Zimbabwe tour was led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and featured a number of fringe and emerging Indian players given an opportunity at the international level.

Style and significance

Regarded as a dependable opener in the domestic game, Fazal is noted for his temperament against the new ball and his ability to bat long innings. He is among the senior figures in Vidarbha cricket and has been credited with mentoring younger players from the region as the state grew into a competitive force in Indian domestic cricket.

References