1933 – 2009

Abdul Rasheed, born in 1933 to Moosabba, also known as Mustafa, the first lawyer of the Beary community, and Khadija, in Mission Compound, Mangalore, emerged as a trailblazing figure in the field of cricket. Growing up, Abdul Rasheed completed his intermediate education in Mangalore before immersing himself in the sport that would define his legacy.

Starting out in the MUC team at Mangalore’s Nehru Maidan, Abdul Rasheed showed he was a top-notch player. He could bat, bowl, and field like nobody else. People quickly noticed his talent, not just in Mangalore but all over the state.

When his family shifted to Bangalore, Abdul Rasheed switched to playing for Mysore instead of Madras. He didn’t just play cricket locally; he competed in big tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, making a mark not just in India but also internationally.

Abdul Rasheed was from a well-off family and was great at sports, but he also valued his mother tongue, Beary. He could speak many languages fluently, like Kannada, Tulu, Malayalam, Urdu, and Beary. His handwriting was neat and lovely, as his family members recall.

Even though he was amazing at cricket, Abdul Rasheed never sought attention. He saw cricket as both a job and a passion.

Born in Mangalore and brought up in Bangalore, Abdul Rasheed is survived by his wife Rahat, two sons, and a daughter. He passed away in 2009.