Former Hyderabad fast bowler Habeeb Khan passes away

Standing over 6 feet and 7 inches, Habeeb played for Hyderabad, Services and Railways in the Ranji Trophy

Hyderabad: Former tall Hyderabad fast bowler Mohammed Habeeb Khan passed away after a brief old-age related illness here on Sunday. He was 83.

Standing over 6 feet and 7 inches, Habeeb played in the 50s and 60s. Eldest of the fearsome trio of great bowlers called the Khan Brothers, the other two being Majid Khan and Sardar Khan, Habeeb was born in a family of sportspersons. Father late Ibrahim Khan played for Hyderabad, and the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh in various disciplines such as cricket, football, hockey and athletics.

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Habeeb played for Hyderabad, Services and Railways in the Ranji Trophy. In the process, the tall fast bowler represented South Zone (under Jaisimha), North Zone (under late Tiger Pataudi) and Central Zone (under late Hanumant Singh). Apart from that, Habeeb was in the Rest of India, against the visiting teams of West Indies, England and Sri Lanka.

The strongly built Habeeb had cleaned bowled England vice-captain Mike Stewart with the first delivery of the match while playing for South Zone under the late ML Jaisimha’s captaincy in Hyderabad in 1964.

Habeeb made his Ranji debut under late Ghulam Ahmed in 1956 and had best match figures of 14 wickets against Kerala in Warangal in 1962. After representing Hyderabad for nine years, he represented Services for one year in 1964 before playing for Railways team from 1968. He retired from first class cricket in 1974. He played a total of 40 Ranji Trophy matches and had five times ten-wicket hauls.

After retiring from first class cricket, he became a successful coach. He coached players like former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, Prasad, RA Swaroop, Vivek Jaisimha, Vidyut Jaisimha and Mohd Affan.

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