Auqib Nabi, the J&K fast bowler is fast making a name for himself in the Indian domestic circuit, and for now it looks inevitable that he will break into the Test team, anytime now. In the Duleep Trophy match against the East Zone, the 28-year-old went on to pick five wickets, only adding to reputation. To add to that, he picked up four wickets in as many deliveries, making him a household name now.
Auqib Nabi a Step Closer to India Cap?
After his feat, the pacer has expressed his desire to play Tests for India. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, he said that, the Test team is the end goal. “Jab aapka goal India ke liye khelna ho, toh ye sab matter nahi karta. (If your goal is to play for India, these things don’t matter). It doesn’t matter if you have limited resources. You have to use them. You can’t make excuses. You have to keep improving if you want to play for your country. And that’s my goal… to wear the India whites.”
Four Wickets in Four Deliveries
Auqib Nabi explained what it took to take five wickets in the first innings. “When we went into the tea break, the coaches told us that it’s all gone a bit flat, so they asked us to show some enthusiasm, and that’s what we did,” Nabi said. “I am feeling very good. This is a rare record, four in four, but more importantly, I got my team a first-innings lead.”
In fact, that is not it. He came to bat at No.9 and scored 44 runs from just 33 deliveries. That makes him a good prospect, not as an all-rounder, but a bowler who can bat just a bit. “When you bat well, it helps build your confidence and carries it forward. It shows in your bowling and fielding. It (my innings) was crucial for the team. I work a lot on my batting. I practice a lot.”
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