Auqib Nabi during India training (Source: PTI Photos)
Despite picking up 60 wickets at an average of just 12.57 in last edition’s Ranji Trophy, Jammu & Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi is yet to make his Test debut for India. In fact, the BCCI is yet to give him any opportunity to prosper in either ODIs or T20Is.
Amidst all this, an English county team stepped up to provide his services with the red ball. Nabi, in whites, will be in action as early as September 2, as confirmed by reputed journalist Mohsin Kamal.
Surrey Confirm Auqib Nabi For County Championship Debut
The BCCI were in search of Auqib Nabis short County Championship stint, with Surrey being the frontrunner to sign a deal with him. And the talks progressed till the end, as Surrey will have Auqib Nabi for three County Championship matches.
Nabi will play for Surrey against Yorkshire on September 2. After that, he will be up against Sussex and Glamorgan. However, as things stand, he won’t be part of Surrey’s last County Championship match of the season against Somerset, which will be from September 24 onwards.
Why Nabi Won’t Be Available For Full County Championship Season?
Possibly keeping in mind that the India tour of New Zealand is coming up, the BCCI might keep Auqib Nabi away from the last County Championship fixture for Surrey.
PTI journalist Kushan Sarkar confirmed that Nabi has already left for England and will later join the India A squad. They will play Australia A in two Tests at home, starting on September 22.
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As Surrey’s last County Championship match is scheduled to get underway on September 24, the BCCI kept him available for India A vs Australia A Tests, presumably because they want him to keep him in the mix of things for India’s squad for the New Zealand Tests.
How Surrey Stint Could Be A Major Boost For Auqib Nabi’s Career
In the ongoing County Championship season, Surrey have only won one of nine matches. Five of their matches ended in a draw, while they tasted defeat on four occasions.
Their bowling unit, in particular, disappointed this season. Thus, if Nabi, who can swing the ball in both ways with supreme consistency, steps up to deliver in English conditions, it could be a major breakthrough for him to cement his place in India’s Test set-up.
Besides, India will travel to New Zealand for their next red-ball assignment. There, in New Zealand, they have conditions very similar to England's, at least in terms of swinging the ball.
Therefore, if Nabi enjoys a good time in England with the red ball in hand, don’t be surprised if he makes his India debut in New Zealand. There will be two Tests, one from November 19 and another from November 27.
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