Ashish Winston Zaidi takes 'sanyas' from 1st class cricket

Allahabad, Sep 26 (UNI) Ranji player from Uttar Pradesh Ashish Winston Zaidi today announced to take 'sanyas' from the first class cricket.

Thirty seven-year-old Zaidi has been playing for UP since his debut in 1988. A right arm fast medium blower Zaidi became the most successful state bowler by taking 378 wickets in 110 first class cricket matches.

He took 348 wickets in 92 Ranji matches and at present, is the most successful bowler of the country after Madan Lal, who had set a record of 351 wickets.

Presently, Zaidi was four wickets short of breaking the Madan Lal's record of 351 wickets.

On being pestered by reporters about the reason behind 'sanyas,' Zaidi said ''now, I want to give chance to the budding cricketers.'' He, however, denied any kind of pressure behind his decision.

''I kick started my career as a Ranji player in 1988 from Kamla Club Maidan, Kanpur and wanted to retire from the first class from there, but my dreams could not be fulfilled,'' he lamented.

Zaidi, posted as a manager at the Food Corporation of India office at Allahabad, said ''now, I want to give apportunity to the young aspiring cricketers to showcase their talent. The future of UP is bright as there is no dearth of talented cricketers. They only need a good training and golden chance.'' UNI