Pathan Questions Selection Process After Nabi’s Continuous Snub
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed deep frustration with the national selection committee over the continued exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Aquib Nabi from the Indian Test squad. Following the announcement of the Test team for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, Pathan openly questioned the logic behind ignoring one of domestic cricket’s most consistent performers. Nabi was also surprisingly overlooked for the recent one-off Test against Afghanistan, serving only as a net bowler despite his stellar form.
Speaking candidly about the decision, Pathan highlighted that the selection policy appears inconsistent and sends mixed signals to hard-working players in the domestic circuit. Pathan argued that the non-World Test Championship match against Afghanistan would have been the ideal opportunity to test a young, rhythm-bowler like Nabi on the big stage, rather than overloading established senior pacers like Mohammed Siraj.
Sensational Domestic Season and India A Performances
Aquib Nabi’s exclusion comes on the back of a breathtaking domestic season where he emerged as one of the standout fast bowlers in Indian cricket. The 29-year-old right-arm seamer was instrumental in guiding Jammu and Kashmir to their historic maiden Ranji Trophy triumph, scalping an astounding 60 wickets throughout the tournament. His ability to move the ball both ways at a lively pace caused endless trouble for top-order batters across the country.
Nabi further proved his metal in high-pressure encounters, notably turning heads during the Ranji Trophy final with an exceptional spell against senior international batter KL Rahul. His impressive form continued on the international pathway with India A during their tour of Sri Lanka, where he claimed six wickets across two four-day matches. Despite proving his match-winning capabilities across formats, red-ball competitions, and representative fixtures, the senior national call-up has somehow eluded him.
Warning Over Wasting Fast Bowlers’ Peak Years
Elaborating on his critique, Irfan Pathan emphasized that fast bowlers have a crucial window in their career, typically between the ages of 27 and 32, when they reach their physical and skill peak. Pathan warned that delaying international opportunities for pacers who are currently in peak form and rhythm risks wasting their most productive years, ultimately harming Indian cricket’s depth in the long run.
While Pathan welcomed the selection of Madhya Pradesh spinner Saransh Jain, noting that rewarding long-term domestic performance is encouraging, he questioned why the same logic was not extended to Nabi. Pathan stressed that pace bowlers face higher physical wear and tear and require constant rotation and backups. He urged the selectors to acknowledge sustained domestic performances so that players maintaining rhythm at the domestic level retain faith in the national selection ecosystem.
