Nabi's masterclass in seam and swing floors East Zone

J&K’s Augib Nabi was the standout pacer of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 44 wickets in eight games, behind spinner Harsh Dubey.

- Sanjeev K Samyal

It ‘was one of the reasons why, in India’s domestic cricket circles, he has established a fairly good reputation among opponents.

However, to progress, you need to back the Ranji Trophy exploits at the next level. In the season opener, Nabi has gone ahead and done just that.

Friday's performance in the Duleep Trophy game for North against East, will give Nabia lot of satisfaction because sharing the stage with international pacers, including Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, he showed the skills to best exploit the conditions at BCCI's Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru.

Ina sensational performance, the bowler from Baramullah claimed four wickets in four balls to claim a fifer and run through the East's lower-order, triggering a collapse from 222/5 to 230 all out.

Earlier, while batting, he had smashed 44 off 33 balls at No 9 to help North's total reach 405.