Happy Birthday, Faiz Fazal! India batsman turns 31

Faiz Fazal became the first Indian player in 16 years to make his ODI debut while in his thirties.

Born September 7, 1985, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Faiz Fazal turns 31 today. Fazal, who earned his first call-up in One-Day International cricket, when India toured Zimbabwe this year itself, became the first Indian player in 16 years to make his ODI debut while in his thirties. His name was included in the ODI squad for Zimbabwe, and was backed by his performances in the 2015-16 domestic season. Among all the players named in the squad, Fazal was the only player who didn’t have an IPL contract. The left-hander who played for Vidarbha, had made a century on his First-classs debut, scoring 151 in late 2003. While he could have been a part of India’s Under-19 squad for the 2004 World Cup, he was unfortunately injured and was replaced by Shikhar Dhawan, who went on to become the highest run-getter in the tournament. READ: Faiz Faizal scores half-century on debut against Zimbabwe in 3rd ODI at Harare

He was included in the team led by MS Dhoni, for the third ODI, that India played against Zimbabwe this year, and opened the inings. Fazal also scored a fifty in his first match. He was unbeaten on 55 and shared a 126-run stand with KL Rahul as India romped to a 10-wicket win.

Fazal has played in 79 First-class games and has scored 5,341 runs. with a highest of 200 not out. He has 11 hundreds and 27 fifties. The left-handed opening batsman has a decent List A record as well. In 69 List A matches, he has amassed 2,137 runs, with a highest of 129 not out. He has maintained an average of 33.92 and has five hundreds and 14 half-centuries.

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