J&K pacer Auqib Nabi grabbed the spotlight with his brilliant display in the ongoing 2025 Duleep Trophy clash between North Zone and East Zone. The game, which got underway on August 28, has already witnessed several standout moments, with Nabi’s spell being the biggest highlight so far.

Batting first, North Zone managed to put up 405 runs on the board in their opening innings. East Zone, however, struggled to keep up with the momentum and collapsed for 230 runs in just 56.1 overs, unable to handle the pressure from the opposition bowlers.

Nabi was the star with the ball, producing magical figures of 5/28 from 10.1 overs. During his fiery spell, he scripted history by becoming only the fifth Indian to claim four wickets in four consecutive balls in first-class cricket, completely dismantling East Zone’s lower order and turning the contest decisively in North Zone’s favor.

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Some fascinating Facts About The Jammu & Kashmir Pacer:

Auqib Nabi has become the center of attention with his brilliant display in the Duleep Trophy. The Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler’s achievement has sparked curiosity among cricket fans. To celebrate his milestone, here are five fascinating facts about Nabi that highlight his journey, skills, and growing reputation as a promising seamer in Indian domestic cricket.

• Auqib Nabi claimed five wickets on his first-class debut

Auqib Nabi made his first-class debut for Jammu & Kashmir during the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy in a match against Jharkhand. In the opening innings, Jharkhand scored 259 runs, while Nabi went wicketless, finishing with figures of 0/43. Jammu & Kashmir gained control with the bat, posting 441 runs, highlighted by Abdul Samad’s impressive century knock of 128.

It was in the second innings that Nabi left his mark. Displaying skill and accuracy, he produced an excellent spell, grabbing 5/38 as Jharkhand were bundled out for just 155. His efforts ensured Jammu & Kashmir secured a dominant win by an innings and 27 runs. The performance not only sealed the match for his side but also marked Nabi’s arrival in domestic cricket with an impressive five-wicket haul on debut.

• Record holder as J&K’s leading wicket-taker in a single Ranji season

Auqib Nabi showcased his bowling brilliance for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. Playing eight matches, the pacer picked up 44 wickets at a stunning average of 13.93 with a strike rate of 30.47. His consistency was highlighted by six five-wicket hauls, which helped him finish as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker, only behind Harsh Dubey’s 69 scalps.

This exceptional run also saw Nabi etch his name in J&K’s cricketing history. He became the highest wicket-taker for the state in a single Ranji season, overtaking the long-standing record of 38 wickets set by Parvez Rasool in 2016-17. His efforts not only elevated J&K’s bowling attack but also established him as one of the most promising fast bowlers in domestic cricket.

• Baramulla-born pacer who began with tennis-ball cricket; his father works as a teacher

Auqib Nabi, a 28-year-old pacer from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir, began his cricketing journey with tennis-ball matches before committing to the sport at a professional level. His early passion and dedication helped him steadily rise through the ranks of competitive cricket.

He later played for J&K in the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy and U-23 Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, proving his bowling potential. Throughout his journey, his father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, who works as a teacher in a government school, played a key role in encouraging and supporting his ambitions, helping him balance both education and cricket while chasing his dream.

• Considers Dale Steyn his biggest source of inspiration

Auqib Nabi has often spoken about his admiration for former South African speedster Dale Steyn. In an interaction with Kashmir Life, the pacer revealed that he considers Steyn his biggest source of motivation, looking up to his aggression, consistency, and match-winning ability as guiding factors in his own journey.

He said, “ Steyn’s bowling action, top speed, and aggression have always fascinated me. Just as he represented his country at the highest level, I aspire to do the same for my state and my nation. I am working tirelessly to achieve that dream.”

• Debuted in List-A cricket alongside veteran Irfan Pathan

Auqib Nabi stepped into List-A cricket during the 2018 Vijay Hazare Trophy when Jammu & Kashmir faced Haryana. Sharing the dressing room with senior pros like Irfan Pathan and Parvez Rasool, he made an impressive start by bagging three wickets in the contest, immediately showcasing his potential at the domestic level.

Since that debut, Nabi has steadily grown into a consistent performer in the format. Over the course of 29 List-A matches, the right-arm seamer has collected 42 wickets, averaging 28.88 with the ball. His strike rate of 34.1 underlines his ability to break partnerships, while two four-wicket hauls highlight his match-winning spells. His journey reflects promise and steady progress for Jammu & Kashmir cricket.

North Zone is currently leading the race against East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025. In the first innings of the match, when East Zone was heavily dependent on Manishi, an emerging spinner, North Zone wrapped up their innings after a pure team game. Without any century or crazy batting, they registered 405 runs for 10 wickets. 

Kanhaiya Wadhawan was the highest scorer in the phase of the game for the North Zone with 76 runs, while another player from Jammu and Kashmir, Auqib Nabi, chipped in with a quick 44-run inning. Both J&K cricketers Kanhaiya and Auqib are considered highly talented prospects in domestic cricket. 

Who is Kanhaiya Wadhawan?

Kanhaiya is a 23-year-old keeper-batter hailing from Jammu, currently representing North Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025 against East Zone. According to stats from ESPNcricinfo, the middle-order batter so far played 4 First Class matches and 8 innings to score 310 runs, including a highest score of 84 at an average of 44.28. His last couple of FC matches with J&K were absolutely phenomenal. Against Baroda in Vadodara, he scored 71 & 84 in the first and second innings, respectively. In the next match, which was against Kerala, the emerging cricketer went in the middle to score 48 & 64 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. 

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Kanhaiya made his FC debut in 2018 when he played a 24-run knock in his first FC appearance for J&K. During the previous Ranji Trophy season, Jammu and Kashmir stunned cricket fans when they took down a heavyweight Mumbai cricket team to ensure a 5-wicket win. Wadhawan was a crucial part of the game. He remained firm on the track and scored an unbeaten 19 to achieve the historic win. 

Who is Auqib Nabi?

28-year-old Nabi has gained ample amount of experience playing for Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket. The pace bowling allrounder known for his quick fire batting abilities and economical bowling. Against Kerala in a Ranji Trophy 2025 fixture, he scored 32 runs and picked 6 wickets in the first innings. During the historic win against Mumbai, Nabi again proved himself as a key figure. In the first innings he took a couple of wickets and then in the second innings, he ensured another 4 wickets. Star Mumbai batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Shardul Thakur fell short against the promising allrounder.