One of the most successful Mumbai captains and former Indian paceman Paras Mhambrey on Saturday announced his retirement from first class cricket.

Mhambrey said he decided to quit from first class cricket to concentrate on coaching assignments.

Mhambrey has led Mumbai to their record 35th Ranji Trophy triumph recently and also played two Tests and two one-dayers in 1996 against England in their home ground.

"I know I could have played for Mumbai for another couple of years, but as there are quite a few young fast bowlers waiting in the wings to play for Mumbai, I decided to make way for them," he said in Mumbai. "I sent a letter to the Mumbai Cricket Association requesting them not to consider me for further selections and I was lucky that I was offered a coaching assignment to train the Mumbai under-25 squad for the coming season." 

Despite being the assistant coach to Frank Tyson of Australia during his visit to Mumbai and Bangalore in 2002 and also having coached the Karnataka under-17 team for three weeks, Mhambrey considers the MCA's offer special.