![Auqib Nabi failed to copy MS Dhoni [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1788587504308_AuqibNabiMSDhoni.jpg?type=hq)
Auqib Nabi failed to copy MS Dhoni [Source: X]
MS Dhoni, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is known for his ability to finish games off in style, especially during the peak of his international and franchise cricket career.
Auqib Nabi, who recently earned his maiden call-up for a county stint with Surrey, tried to emulate the Indian legend and failed miserably. His audacious attempt gave the county side a major scare against Yorkshire, leaving them in a precarious position.
Auqib Nabi fails to finish the game with a big hit like MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni was known for his big-hit finishes, which became a signature part of his playing style. Be it a last-ball six or a comfortable two needed off four deliveries, Dhoni used to slam the ball for a boundary or a six to finish off games with his power-hitting ability.
Auqib Nabi tried to do the same after his team needed eight runs to win, while Yorkshire needed two wickets to turn the game in their favour during the 52nd match of the County Championship Division One at The Oval.
Nabi faced the crease with his bat and went after the first delivery, hitting a clean swing towards the leg side for a six in Dhoni style. However, after facing a few deliveries and scoring eight runs, Nabi tried to finish off the chase with a big hit when Surrey needed just two runs to win.
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At that time, Josh Blake, the number-four batter, was still at the crease with Nabi, while Ben Coad delivered a good-length delivery that turned into Nabi's body.
Nabi tried to play a big shot and swung his bat with power, but he mistimed it, and the ball went straight up towards James Wharton, who held the catch comfortably to dismiss the Indian cricketer.
This gave Surrey a major scare, as Yorkshire needed just one wicket to win, while Surrey required two runs for victory.
However, after quite a struggle of several overs, Dan Worrall smashed Ben Coad over the off side for the winning runs to finish the low-scoring epic in MS Dhoni style, something which Auqib failed to do.
Auqib Nabi's aggressive instincts prompted him to go for the glory shot
As far as his batting is concerned, Nabi is a decent hitter. From 60 first-class innings, the experienced campaigner has managed to score 1,008 runs at an average of 18.32, while having a strike rate of 56.25.
He also has two half-centuries in the format, while striking 108 boundaries, which further indicates that he can be impactful with the bat in the lower tail-end of the order.
In List A cricket too, Nabi has averaged 27.23 and struck at a rate of 111.71, highlighting his power-hitting prowess. Thus, as he believes in countering the opposition with his boundary-hitting, it was natural from Auqib Nabi's perspective to go for a glory shot in the Surrey vs Yorkshire clash.
However, risking everything over a two-run margin was an absolute scare that might not have ended well if Dan Worrall had failed to hit the winning runs.
How has Auqib Nabi done so far for Surrey?
Nabi's county stint started with the wicket of his India teammate, Kuldeep Yadav. Immediately after that, in the second innings, he scalped another wicket, taking his tally to two wickets from as many innings. While playing the match, he bowled at an economy rate of 2.50 while striking at 60.00.
As far as his utility is concerned, Surrey gave him good opportunities alongside Matthew Fisher and Daniel Worrall, giving him 15 overs to bowl in the first innings. He bowled three maidens while conceding only 33 runs in the first innings.
In the second innings, Nabi delivered five overs and gave away only 17 runs while picking up the crucial wicket of James Wharton in the 11th over.
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