A left-arm medium-pace bowler, Rashid Patel's call-up for the Bombay Test against New Zealand in 1988 was a surprise after two distinctly ordinary seasons for Baroda. The selectors' gamble failed as Patel bagged a pair - falling to Richard Hadlee both times - and failed to take a wicket in 14 overs. His one-day career was as brief - one game against the same opposition three weeks later - taking 0 for 58 on his home ground and not batting. His place in cricket's hall of shame was assured when he was banned for 13 months following a row with Raman Lamba during the Duleep Trophy final between North Zone and West Zone in 1990-91. Patel, armed with a stump, chased Lamba, who was batting, all the way to the boundary. Patel returned after serving his ban but was a shadow of his former self, playing only 13 matches in five seasons.
Martin Williamson