19 February,2026 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
J&K’s Auqib Nabi celebrates his fifer vs Bengal on Monday. Pic/PTI
J&K pacer Auqib Nabi, 29, with his nine-wicket match haul (5-87 & 4-36), has almost single-handedly helped them beat Bengal by six wickets to enter their maiden Ranji Trophy final, where they meet Karnakata on Feb 24 in Bengaluru.
The star pacer, who is the second highest wicket-taker with 55 scalps this season, though credited his teammates for helping J&K make history. "It [maiden Ranji final] is a very, big thing. There's nothing better than this for us. This is a total team effort. We have helped JKCA [Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association] create history. It feels good to be a part of history," Nabi told mid-day over the phone from Kolkata.
When asked about becoming the first J&K bowler to pick 50-plus wickets in a season, Nabi replied. "I'm a team man. You cannot win alone. If you see, [pacer] Sunil Kumar claimed four wickets [4-27]. [Pacer] Yudhvir Singh [2-29] gave us two crucial wickets in the second innings. I'm very satisfied with my performance. It feels great when the team is winning due to your bowling."
