‘Don’t have any logical answer’ – Irfan Pathan questions absence of Auqib Nabi for Sri Lanka Tests

On Tuesday, July 28, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for India’s upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka next month.

Veteran Madhya Pradesh spin-bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain earned his maiden Test call-up, finally getting the reward for performing well for over a decade in domestic cricket. While the spin-bowling all-rounder was rewarded for his impressive show, Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, another star performer in domestic cricket, was ignored once again. The right-arm seamer took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy last season, helping Jammu and Kashmir clinch their maiden title. He was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, averaging a stunning 12.56.

Nabi was signed for by the Delhi Capitals for an impressive deal of INR 8.40 crore at the mini-auction ahead of the latest season. He was also picked in India A’s squad that toured Sri Lanka recently. In the Island Nation, he bagged six wickets in two four-day games. However, despite his impressive red-ball returns, the 29-year-old failed to find a place in the squad for the upcoming tour.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who has played a significant role in Nabi’s cricketing success, expressed his disappointment over the selectors’ decision.

“I honestly don’t have any logical answer for Nabi not being picked. I didn’t understand the selection process. Mohammad Siraj is your go-to bowler. When (Jasprit) Bumrah is not there, Siraj becomes your No. 1 bowler. So, what was the need to play against Afghanistan in a Test that wasn’t even part of the World Test Championship? If domestic performances matter, why didn’t you reward Auqib? That was the best opportunity to play him and test him at that level,” Pathan told Sportstar.

While Pathan was pleased to see Saransh Jain picked in the line-up, he reiterated his frustration with Nabi not getting the nod from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee despite consistent performances.

“What signal are we sending to domestic cricketers? Saransh Jain getting picked on the back of domestic performances is fantastic. It tells domestic cricketers that performances will be rewarded. He’s 33 and got rewarded for four or five years of consistent performances. But then, what’s wrong with Auqib? He has performed consistently too, and as a fast bowler, there are even more opportunities because pacers get injured more often, so a backup always helps,” the former India all-rounder concluded.