Guwahati, July 24: Cricketer Arlen Konwar said goodbye in style.

The highest wicket-taker for Assam in first class cricketer today announced his retirement from first class cricket with another feather to his cap - that of becoming the first individual to run across the Bhupen Hazarika Setu in Tinsukia district.

The 36-year-old, who has been out of the Assam Ranji team over the past two years, wound up his first class cricket Odyssey by conducting a 22-day coaching camp at Duliajan in Tinsukia district that was followed by his feat of running across the newly built bridge yesterday. He clocked 1:07 hours to run across the 9.15km bridge from Dhola to Sadiya.

"I am retiring only from first class cricket, but will continue playing for my employer railway whenever and wherever I am asked to do so," Konwar, an NF Railway employee under Tinsukia division, said.

"My career had always been an eventful one. There were definitely ups and downs. I am grateful to everyone who supported me and also those who criticised me which helped me mend myself and better my performance," Konwar told The Telegraph over phone from Tinsukia this afternoon.

"But announcing my retirement from first class cricket does not mean my retirement from cricket field. I would love to continue playing cricket and pass on whatever little I have learnt in my career to the younger generation," the ace off-spinner said, adding that he would try to take the BCCI coaches' examinations.

Playing in 69 first class matches, Konwar scalped 212 wickets. A resident of Cherekapar in Sivasagar town, Konwar made his first class debut in the 2001-02 season against Jharkhand at Dhanbad and played his last against Services here in January 2015.

He had his best season in 2009-10 claiming 36 wickets and was expecting an India call, but had to undergo a rectification stint at the National Cricket Academy after his bowling action was reported.

About running across the bridge, he said, "I wanted to do something very few would do in my age in order to make my retirement a memorable moment."

Former Ranji captain and the most capped Ranji player for Assam, Zakaria Zuffri, who was Konwar's teammate, was present when he ran across the bridge. Ranji cricketer Deepak Gohain and several cricketers from Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts joined Konwar in the run.

"Arlen Konwar has proved that if you have dedication, perseverance and eagerness for hard work one can achieve success. May he achieve greater heights in his coming years," Zuffri said.

Assam Cricket Association secretary Pradip Buragohain said, "Arlen Konwar made outstanding contributions to cricket in Assam. The ACA is highly indebted to him. I am planning to give him a befitting farewell from first class cricket but not from the cricket field of Assam. He will have to continue to render service to cricket in Assam."