Abdul Ismail

Abdul Moosabhoy Ismail (10 August 1945 – 30 May 2025) was an Indian first-class cricketer who later became a selector for the Mumbai Cricket Association. Ismail played as a swing bowler for Bombay cricket team from 1969/70 to 1977/78.

Career A right-arm fast-medium bowler, Ismail played for Bombay between the 1969/70 and 1977/78 seasons. In his first match of the 1971–72 Ranji Trophy against Gujarat, Ismail had figures of 3/15 and 6/16, giving his team an innings win within two days. Later that season, Bombay registered a 284-run win in away game against Baroda, with Ismail taking 4/18 and 5/62, with Baroda being bowled out for 42 in their first innings. He finished the 1971/72 season with 56 wickets at an average of 13.98.

He found success in the 1975–76 Ranji Trophy in which he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 38 scalps at an average of 16. In the final of that Ranji season against Bihar, he took 5/48 and 5/58, helping his team to a 10-wicket victory.

In 2000, Ismail became a member of Mumbai Cricket Association the Ranji and under-22 selection panel. He worked in that position for many years.

Playing style Ismail was a right-arm fast-medium new ball bowler with a "deceptive action", who could swing the ball both ways. About Ismail's bowling, former Mumbai captain Milind Rege said, "I found his action very awkward, completely open-chested, something like Colin Croft. He had the biggest outswing I have ever seen. He started from around the leg stump and the swing would finish at 1st slip. [...] Surely Abdul was a great bowler who should have played many a Test [...]"

Ismail's son Asif Ismail is a tennis player who has appeared in the Davis Cup.

Ismail died from a cardiac arrest on 30 May 2025, at the age of 79.