Auqib Nabi is first J&K player to get India Test call-up.
Jaffer stated that Nabi deserved to be part of the initial squad rather than being named as a replacement. The two-match series is set to begin on August 15, with Galle hosting the opening game. The SSC ground in Colombo will host the second Test of the series from August 23.
Nabi is the first J&K player to get an Indian Test call-up and will become the third overall player from J&K to play for India if he makes his debut. Before him, Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik have played for India in white-ball cricket.
“It’s a big thing and a very happy moment. And you are absolutely right that after performing so well, he (Auqib Nabi) probably shouldn’t have come in as a replacement in the first place. But better late than never. I’m very happy for him because he deserves to be in the initial squad.
When a player performs this well, he should be a first-choice selection. But anyway, congratulations to him for becoming the first player to make it through to the Test team from J&K, based on his performance. I hope that if he gets an opportunity, he proves why he has performed so well,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
The 29-year-old pacer has 162 wickets at an average of 18.63 and a strike rate of 38.50 in 43 FC games, with best figures of 7/24.
Wasim Jaffer stated that Auqib Nabi's involvement demonstrates that raw pace is not everything for a bowler, with the ability to seam and swing the ball also playing an important role. He cited Nabi's outstanding domestic record, with the pacer taking 104 wickets in 18 games over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons.
“Taking wickets in the Ranji Trophy is not easy in the first place. To play the whole season and then bowl so well in two consecutive seasons is a big achievement. So, I hope he gets an opportunity somewhere. It also shows that bowling at 140 or 145 kmph is not everything. You also need to have skills with the ball and know how to seam and swing it,” he added.
However, Jaffer stated that Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are likely to be the two frontline pacers, as Sri Lankan conditions favor spin. Hence, he cast doubt on Nabi’s India debut.
“I’m sure Siraj will be the first choice. Siraj and Krishna will be the two options, so whether India goes with three seamers or not, I don’t know. I’m not sure what the conditions there will be like. We discussed that Sri Lanka might offer India turning tracks. So, if that happens, perhaps we will go with only two seamers,” he added.
India’s upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka will be their first in the country since 2017, when India won the three-Test series 0-3.