Bengal pacer Shib Paul retires from all cricket

Bengal pacer Shib Paul announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in Kolkata on Monday. Paul, who made his debut in the 2000-01 season, finished with 220 first-class wickets from 61 matches at an average of 24.95. In 61 List A matches, he claimed 86 wickets at 24.68.

"All these years, the only thing I have known is cricket. The game has been an integral part of my life. I am happy to have played for Bengal all these years and am grateful for all the support that I received from my coaches, team-mates and the CAB," Paul said during his farewell. He made the announcement after his team, Kalighat Club, won the P Sen Trophy Invitational meet at Eden Gardens. CAB president Sourav Ganguly and Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary were also present at Paul's farewell.

The bowler was a regular for Bengal in the mid-2000s and was selected in the India squad twice - for the Mumbai Test against Australia in October 2004, and the two-Test series against Bangladesh in December that year.

"Sharing the dressing room with Dadi (Sourav Ganguly), Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar will remain the most cherished moment of my playing career," Paul said. He added that his most memorable dismissal was Marcus Trescothick's wicket during England's tour match against an Indian Board President's XI in February 2006.

"I took the wicket of England opener Marcus Trescothick in 2006. He just left the delivery and the ball went on to hit the off-stump," Paul said.

Paul's last first-class match was Bengal's Ranji Trophy clash against Karnataka in December 2014. His last List A appearance was in April 2008 and he also played eight T20s in 2007.