Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has thrown his weight behind Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi after the youngster’s stirring performance in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy semi-final, declaring that the right-arm quick is “absolutely special” and not far from earning an India Test cap.
Nabi delivered a match-winning display to power Jammu and Kashmir into their maiden Ranji Trophy final, sealing a memorable six-wicket win over Bengal. For a team that has steadily built its red-ball reputation over the past few seasons, this was a defining moment — and Nabi stood at the heart of it. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan likened the young seamer to a “diesel engine.” It was a telling analogy. According to Pathan, Nabi might take a little time to warm up, but once he finds his rhythm, he becomes relentless.
“He can bowl eight-hour spells, ten-hour spells. He doesn’t get tired,” Irfan Pathan observed, highlighting Nabi’s stamina and repeatable action. What truly excites the former India star is Nabi’s upright seam position, which generates late movement — the kind that troubles even technically sound batters in red-ball cricket.
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From a selection standpoint, Pathan stressed that India needs a robust bench of seven to eight fast bowlers ready for the demands of Test cricket. In his view, Nabi comfortably fits into that emerging pool.
The numbers back the praise. Nabi has claimed 55 wickets this Ranji season — a remarkable return in any campaign. He has struck with the new ball and delivered breakthroughs with the old one, showcasing versatility that selectors value. More impressively, he has contributed 243 runs with the bat, underlining his credentials as a genuine lower-order all-rounder.
Pathan also revealed that he has tracked Nabi’s growth since the 2018–19 season, when he was closely involved with cricket development in Jammu and Kashmir. That long-term observation adds weight to his endorsement.
The semi-final itself was a rollercoaster. Bengal, two-time champions, posted 328 in their first innings, powered by Sudip Kumar Gharami’s 146. Nabi’s five-wicket haul (5/87) ensured Jammu and Kashmir stayed in contention.
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J&K’s reply stumbled under the brilliance of Mohammed Shami, who produced a career-best 8/90 to leave them reeling at 231/8. At that stage, the deficit looked daunting. But Nabi once again stepped up — this time with the bat. His counterattacking 42 off 54 balls, alongside Yudhvir Singh’s 33, forged a crucial 64-run ninth-wicket stand that trimmed the deficit to just 26 runs.
If that wasn’t enough, Nabi set the tone in Bengal’s second innings with a wicket off the very first ball, trapping Sudip Chatterjee lbw. He later dismissed captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and finished with 4/36, completing a nine-wicket match haul (9/123). Bengal collapsed for 99 in 25.1 overs.
Chasing 126, Jammu and Kashmir reached the target with six wickets in hand, scripting history. For Nabi, it wasn’t just a breakout performance — it was a statement that he belongs in conversations about India’s next generation of Test fast bowlers.
