Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi is quickly becoming one of the biggest stories in Indian domestic cricket. After his match-winning performance in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 semifinal against Bengal, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made a strong statement about the pacer’s future.
Speaking about Nabi’s progress, Pathan said that the young seamer is “not too far from Test cricket,” hinting that the national selectors may soon consider him for India’s red-ball setup.
“A Diesel Engine” – Irfan Pathan’s Big Praise
Irfan Pathan compared Auqib Nabi to a diesel engine, explaining that he may take some time to settle into rhythm, but once he gets going, he becomes extremely difficult to stop.
According to Pathan, Nabi’s biggest strength is his stamina and consistency. He can bowl long spells for hours without losing pace or accuracy. His straight seam position helps him generate late movement, making him effective with both the new and old ball.
Pathan also emphasized that India needs a strong pool of 7–8 fast bowlers for Test cricket, and Nabi fits perfectly into that long-term plan.
Match-Winning Performance in Ranji Trophy Semifinal
Auqib Nabi delivered a complete all-round performance against Bengal at Kalyani, helping Jammu & Kashmir reach their first-ever Ranji Trophy final.
| Performance | Figures |
|---|---|
| First Innings | 5/87 |
| Second Innings | 4/36 |
| Match Figures | 9/123 |
| Runs Scored | 42 (54 balls) |
| Award | Player of the Match |
Bengal were bowled out for 99 in the second innings, allowing J&K to chase the target comfortably and create history.
Ranji Trophy 2025-26: A Breakthrough Season
The 2025-26 season has been the best of Auqib Nabi’s career so far. His consistency across matches has made him one of the most effective fast bowlers in domestic cricket.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Wickets | 55 |
| Bowling Average | 12.72 |
| Five-wicket hauls | 6 |
| Quarterfinal vs MP | 12 wickets (7/40 & 5/70) |
| Runs this season | 243 |
He has taken wickets with both the new ball and old ball, while also contributing useful runs in the lower order.
Also see: Jammu & Kashmir Reach Ranji Trophy Final 2026 for First Time After
First-Class Career Milestone
During the semifinal, Auqib Nabi also completed a major career landmark.
| Format | Stats |
|---|---|
| First-Class Matches | 39 |
| Total Wickets | 142 |
| Bowling Average | 18.9 |
Also Read: Rishabh Pant Fully Fit, Set to Return for India and LSG in IPL 2026
Big Opportunity in Ranji Trophy Final
Jammu & Kashmir will face Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final starting February 24. Another strong performance in the title clash could further strengthen Nabi’s case for a national call-up.
For now, the fast bowler has already become a symbol of Jammu & Kashmir’s rise in domestic cricket — and with backing from a former India star like Irfan Pathan, his journey toward the Indian Test team looks closer than ever.
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