Auqib Nabi and Jammu and Kashmir’s journey have become synonymous with each other. Nabi, while coming through the ranks in Baramulla, didn’t have the right facilities or space to even pull off a complete run-up. Yet the calmness he showed during the Ranji Trophy final was the one that the entire J&K side channelled as they marched to their first Ranji Trophy title.
Nabi starred with the ball, breaking the back of a star-studded Karnataka batting line-up, picking up the wickets of KL Rahul and Karun Nair, on his way to a five-wicket haul and helped his side gain 291-run win lead. That proved to be the difference as Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra’s centuries on Day 5 shut the doors firmly on Karnataka’s hopes of a ninth title.
For Nabi, it completes a dream he had set out to achieve the first time he wore the jersey of the J&K side.
“It was unbelievable. We have won the trophy for the first time. When I started playing for the team, I dreamed of winning this tournament. We were trying since a long time, we struggled a lot. Finally we have won the tournament,” said Nabi.
BIG GAME NABI
Apart from being the poster boy of J&K cricket, the pacer is also their big game player. In the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, he picked up 12 wickets. The mighty Bengal side also struggled to come to terms with the bowling prowess of the 29-year-old as he picked up nine wickets to get J&K to the final.
And he finished things up with another five-wicket haul, taking his season tally to 60, making him the third pacer to do it in the history of the Ranji Trophy. Nabi says he keeps things simple: just try and do the best for his side and not look at the opposition.
“My plan is simple in every match. I try to give my best. Whenever the team requires, I put the hard yards. Every match is a must win in the knockouts. I give my 100% any way I can.”
“I stick to my process, I don’t look at who is batting. I want to bowl in good areas and get the batters out, we win the game by taking wickets,” said Nabi.
FROM DOCTOR TO PACE MAGICIAN
Growing up, Nabi’s father, an English teacher, wasn’t happy that his son decided to become a cricketer instead of being a doctor. Nabi now says that he is his biggest fan and he received a lot of support from his during the Ranji Trophy season.
“Everyone supported me well and are very happy. I want to thank them and everyone who prayed and wished me from Jammu & Kashmir,” said Nabi.
Now the next time you may see Nabi it will be in the IPL, donning the colours of Delhi Capitals. Before signing off from the post-match presentation, the pacer had one message for the young cricket aspirants back home.
“If you have limited facilities, work hard and don’t think about anything, just keep working hard and inspire everyone.”
