The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Mansur announces retirement

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Mansur announces retirement

Bangalore: Former Karnataka medium-pacer Mansur Ali Khan announced his retirement here on Friday evening. Typical of the man who perpetually lived in the shadows of his illustrious team-mates like Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi and Dodda Ganesh, Mansur signed off through an under-stated press release.

A persevering seamer who proved to be an apt foil for the aggressive Ganesh in many a winning campaign for Karnataka, Mansur bagged 78 wickets in 24 first class matches that commenced with his Ranji debut against Hyderabad in Bangalore during the 1995-96 season.

A member of the Ranji Trophy winning squads in the 90s, Mansur ebbed away after the 2001-02 season as the State selectors began to look at younger bowlers.

A gritty tail-ender and a team-man to the core, Mansur subsequently focussed on coaching the State’s junior teams. The 36-year old admitted that the announcement of his retirement was a touch belated.

“I should have done this sometime back,” Mansur said with a laugh when contacted over the phone.

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