Auqib Nabi in County Championship: Later this year, the Indian cricket team is scheduled to play a two-Test series during a challenging tour of New Zealand. Keeping the conditions on Kiwi soil in mind, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already ramped up its preparations.
As part of this strategy, the BCCI has sent India's promising young fast bowler, Auqib Nabi, to play in the County Championship in England, where he is showcasing his potent swing bowling prowess while representing Surrey.
Aqib Nabi’s ‘Magical In-swinger’ in County Cricket
In the Division One match against Yorkshire at the Kennington Oval in London, although Aqib Nabi claimed two wickets, the manner in which he sent a Yorkshire batsman’s stumps cartwheeling captured everyone's attention.
Throughout this match against Yorkshire, Aqib Nabi consistently troubled the batsmen across both innings with the seam and swing of his deliveries.
While bowling Yorkshire out for 185 in the first innings, Aqib took 1 wicket for 33 runs in 15 overs. He claimed his first victim in county cricket by dismissing his Indian teammate Kuldeep Yadav, who was caught brilliantly in the slips. Later, in the second innings, Aqib took another wicket, conceding 17 runs in just 5 overs.
During this spell, he bowled an unplayable inswinger to Yorkshire's James Wharton; the ball appeared to be moving away in the air but, upon pitching, darted inwards with lightning speed, breaching the batsman's defense and shattering the stumps. A video of this delivery is making waves on social media.
Waiting for a Team India Debut
Aqib Nabi was recently added to the Indian squad as a backup following Jasprit Bumrah's withdrawal from the Sri Lanka tour, though he did not get the opportunity to make his debut. Given the conditions expected in New Zealand, the role of fast bowlers will be crucial; Nabi's experience on English county pitches could play a pivotal role in helping him earn a Test cap for Team India during the Test series.
Aqib Nabi, who has been wreaking havoc over the last two seasons of the domestic Ranji Trophy, boasts a sensational first-class record. He has claimed 162 wickets in 43 matches, including 16 instances of taking five or more wickets in an innings.
