Follow UsJammu & Kashmir (J&K) pacer Auqib Nabi created history in the ongoing Duleep Trophy when he picked 5/28 playing for North Zone against East Zone. His fifer included a hat-trick in the last three deliveries of the 53rd over of the East Zone innings, and he made that four in four as he returned in the next over and picked a wicket right away.
As it turned out, such a performance was imminent for the pacer who hails from Baramulla because he was already bowling like a dream in the nets. India pacer Arshdeep Singh, who’s also part of the North Zone and picked 1/51 in 17 overs in the same innings, showered high praise on Nabi after the end of play on Day 2.
“When he was bowling in the nets, I think he took seven wickets in the first ten balls,” Arshdeep said, as quoted by Sportstar.
“We thought there was something special there. We are now seeing the glimpses of the hard work he put in the Ranji Trophy.”
Nabi, who has been around the J&K state team for some time now, impressed in the last season of Ranji Trophy when he picked 44 wickets in just 15 innings at an average of just 13.9. It was the highest wicket tally for a pacer, and it included the six-wicket haul he took against Mumbai in J&K’s famous win over the domestic giants last season.
Speaking after his hat-trick and fifer against East Zone, Nabi highlighted the fact that lack of resources can never be an excuse when one dreams of playing for the national side.
“A lot has changed in the last year. This is my debut for North Zone after being the highest wicket-taker for a pacer [in Ranji Trophy], and you need the right reward for your performances. With the help of coaches and blessings of God, I have been able to bowl well,” Nabi said after Day 2, as quoted by Sportstar.
“Whenever someone starts playing cricket, the only motivation is to play for India. Mine was the same. It doesn’t matter if you have limited resources... one shouldn’t give that as an excuse. You have to keep improving if you want to play for India.”
On the day, Nabi’s fifer ensured a 175-run first innings lead for North Zone, making it really hard for the opposition to come back in the game from here.
This was the 28-year-old’s ninth fifer overall in First-class cricket. He has 95 wickets in just 48 innings so far at a stellar average of 21.3. With such a splendid performance, an India A call-up looks likely for the skilful J&K pacer.