Star Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi could feature in the County Championship in England as the BCCI looks to give him valuable red-ball exposure ahead of India’s upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand in November, according to a report by PTI.
Nabi, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in the previous Ranji Trophy season with 60 wickets, was not included in India’s squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Young pacer Gurnoor Brar was also left out of the playing XI.
With Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna set to get workload-related breaks, Brar will join the North Zone squad for their Duleep Trophy semi-final against South Zone, beginning on August 30 at the Centre of Excellence.
“It was a decision taken by the Indian team think-tank (team management and selection committee) that Gurnoor will be playing the Duleep Trophy. Already Arshdeep (Singh) and Anshul (Kamboj) are in the playing eleven and Gurnoor will replace Sunil Kumar,” a BCCI source told PTI.
“So, BCCI is looking for at least two to three red-ball games for Auqib in England, which will be handy,” the source added.
According to the report, Surrey are looking for a swing bowler, and discussions are underway over the possibility of Nabi playing a few County Championship matches for the London-based club.
“While conditions are slightly different in New Zealand, Auqib certainly will be in the scheme of things. So, a couple of games would not be bad for him while Gurnoor plays the Duleep Trophy,” the source said.
The BCCI is also working on Nabi’s travel arrangements, with the pacer expected to head to England once his UK visa is secured.
“The BCCI is trying to get his UK visa and upon arrival, he might leave for UK,” the source added.
Nabi’s potential County stint would give him an opportunity to bowl in English conditions and gain valuable experience in first-class cricket. He has already established himself as one of the leading domestic pacers, having picked up 162 wickets in 43 first-class matches at an impressive economy rate of 2.90.
Several other Indian players are also currently playing red-ball cricket in England. Manav Suthar has featured in two games for Warwickshire, while Kuldeep Yadav has returned to England to play for Yorkshire. Ashutosh Sharma, meanwhile, represented Middlesex in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
With India set to face New Zealand in a two-Test series in November, Nabi’s potential County Championship appearance could provide him with crucial match practice and keep him firmly in the selectors’ plans.
