Nabi replaced injured Jasprit Bumrah in India's Test squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.
Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15 in Galle.
The BCCI on Monday (August 3) officially named the 29-year-old Jammu and Kashmir seamer following Bumrah's failure to recover from a left knee injury.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan strongly backed the selection, noting that Nabi's primary weapon is his ability to force elite batters into errors while defending rather than relying on raw pace.
Pathan emphasized that maintaining an optimum pace of 133-135 kph with late swing is highly effective for Test cricket.
“The optimum pace to get the ball moving is around 135 kph. If you can get it to swing, that too late, then you are good. And with the rhythm and with the kind of action he has, we can touch 133-135 kph on a regular basis. That’s what I believe,” Pathan told PTI in an exclusive chat.
“Does the bowler have the ability to get the batters, the top-quality batters, out while defending? This is the other quality you seek,” he added.
Pathan pointed out that Nabi has consistently outsmarted top-tier batters in domestic cricket while they were employing defensive strokes.
“We have seen that in the Ranji Trophy final, he troubled KL Rahul, he didn’t even get a wicket. In that too, he defended normally and dismissed the batsman,” Pathan said.
“In Mumbai, I saw the match, Shreyas and our current players, he was dismissing them the same way. So, on different pitches, the top-quality batsmen defend and get dismissed. That means he has the ability,” he further stated.
Test cricket, however, will be a bigger test, especially on flat tracks where bowlers need something extra to create chances.
“Obviously, when you play Test cricket, the challenge becomes even more. Because sometimes, you get the flattest pitch in the world,” Pathan said.
“And then obviously, you need to have some extra. In that extra ability, can he use the angle? Can he call the wicket-keeper up? Eventually, it’s all about the performances. Can you perform?” he added.
Pathan noted his own 301 international wickets came without 150kph pace. “I’ve been able to take 301 international wickets. I was not bowling 150kph. My ability was to get the batsman out LBW before they think that ball will not come in.”
Irfan Pathan believes India selection is a major confidence booster for Nabi, even if he has to wait for his opportunity.
“For Auqib to be in the squad right now, even though he was not the first choice, he came as a replacement of Jasprit Bumrah, it will still give him a lot of confidence. Because being in the squad is a big thing,” Pathan said.
He cited that the opportunity to train alongside India’s best batters will also be an important learning curve.
“It’s a pleasure to play for India. It’s the biggest achievement you can have, playing for India and especially in Test cricket,” Pathan said.
“When you go in the nets and when you play with the team, when you actually bowl against the solid, top-quality batters, you learn a lot as well. The management also will get a sighter of what Auqib can do in the nets.”
According to Pathan, Nabi’s domestic performances deserved to be rewarded sooner and the opportunity has come at the right time.
“The good thing is, his performance in domestic cricket got rewarded. I thought he should have been rewarded a bit earlier,” he said.
“I think Afghanistan has already been the perfect start for him. But better late than never,” he added.
Pathan’s association with Nabi dates back to the 2018 trials in Srinagar. “Specially, I liked the skill of Nabi. He used to bowl long spells in junior cricket,” he recalled.
For Pathan, the selection approach was never influenced by a player’s name or place of origin. “I didn’t care about the names. I didn’t care if they came from Baramulla, Anantnag or Kupwara. I even used to go to Kupwara to pick up people,” he said.
“So, my aim was to get the best players. But at the same time, I wanted to get the best players who had the potential,” he added.
Pathan strictly advised Nabi never to alter his bowling action for extra speed, as his current delivery style keeps the ball close to his shoulders and maintains a straight seam.
“When I met him for the first time, the first thing when he asked me, I had told him, ‘Never change your action. No matter who tells you that,’” Pathan said.
“A lot of people will say to speed you up. A lot of people will say a lot of things about non-bowling arm. But don’t change your action.
“Because with this action, you get a straight seam. If you change your action, your straight seam will end. And if that ends, your bowling will end. So never change your action in the name of adding some pace,” he remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)