In his first match of the 1971–72 Ranji Trophy against Gujarat, Ismail had figures of 3/15 and 6/16, giving his team an innings win within two days.
[3] He found success in the 1975–76 Ranji Trophy in which he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 38 scalps at an average of 16.
About Ismail's bowling, former Mumbai captain Milind Rege said, "I found his action very awkward, completely open-chested, something like Colin Croft.
Mind you, the quality of balls used was poor those days and it would lose its shine, but Abdul would be at you all the time.
"[10] Ismail, son of a taxi driver, was supported to play cricket by a Kerkar family.