Auqib Nabi's Sensational Five-Wicket Haul Steers North Zone to Duleep Trophy Lead

Fast bowler Auqib Nabi stole the show on the second day of the Duleep Trophy quarter-final between North Zone and East Zone, delivering a performance that will be etched in the tournament's history. Nabi's sensational five-wicket haul, which notably included four wickets in four consecutive balls, spearheaded North Zone's charge, collapsing East Zone's innings and securing a crucial first-innings lead of 175 runs.

Despite the initial focus on seasoned pacers like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, it was Nabi who truly dominated, finishing with incredible figures of 5 for 5 in just 3.1 overs. This remarkable spell marked a complete transformation from his earlier efforts, where he had gone wicketless for 23 runs in seven overs.

A Spell of Utter Dominance

Nabi's destructive phase began in the 53rd over, where he initiated East Zone's collapse from a seemingly stable 222 for 5. He first dismantled Virat Singh's stumps with a pacy delivery, followed by trapping Manishi lbw. The hat-trick was completed by rattling Mukhtar Hussain's stumps. The onslaught continued into the very next over, where Nabi created history, becoming only the fifth Indian bowler in first-class cricket to achieve four wickets in four balls by dismissing Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal caught behind. His fifth victim, Mohammed Shami, was trapped lbw, sealing his ninth five-wicket haul in his 30th first-class match.

Reflecting on his career-defining spell, Nabi shared, When we went into the tea break, the coaches told us that it's all gone a bit flat, so they asked us to show some enthusiasm, and that's what we did. I am feeling very good. This is a rare record, four in four, but more importantly, I got my team a first-innings lead. He also attributed the evening breeze to aiding his exceptional bowling.

Contribution with the Bat and Domestic Season Success

Beyond his heroics with the ball, Nabi also made a significant contribution with the bat, scoring a quickfire 44 runs off just 33 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. He forged a vital 66-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Kanhaiya Wadhawan, helping North Zone reach a respectable total of 405. When you bat well, it helps build your confidence and carries it forward, Nabi added. It shows in your bowling and fielding.

Nabi's stellar Duleep Trophy performance follows an outstanding 2024-25 domestic season, where he scalped 44 wickets in eight Ranji Trophy matches, significantly boosting his overall tally. His consistent form has been pivotal in Jammu and Kashmir's recent success, including their first Ranji knockout qualification in five years. His impressive displays also earned him his maiden Duleep Trophy call-up.

Recalling a past Ranji Trophy encounter, Nabi mentioned taking six wickets against a formidable Mumbai side, including prominent Indian players, which significantly bolstered his confidence. Hailing from Baramulla, Kashmir, a region with limited cricket facilities, Nabi remains steadfast in his ultimate goal of representing India, a dream he continues to pursue with unwavering determination.