Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has expressed his disappointment over Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi’s non-inclusion for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to start on Saturday, August 15, in Galle.
Speaking to Sportstar in a conversation, Pathan has explained that Nabi had an exceptional Ranji Trophy season and he troubled senior batters like KL Rahul in the grand finale, adding that such performances deserved a reward.
“I honestly don’t have any logical answer for Nabi not being picked. People talk about pace, but you’ve got to see how a bowler is beating the bat. Is he troubling the best batters in domestic cricket? He has done that consistently. Even in the final of the Ranji Trophy, he troubled senior batters like KL Rahul and everyone saw that. So, his performances deserved a reward,” Irfan Pathan told Sportstar.
Furthermore, Pathan has reckoned that a fast bowler’s peak comes at the age between 27 and 32, adding that the selection committee shouldn’t miss that window. He has also questioned the selection process in the red-ball format.
“The more you delay a fast bowler’s peak, the more you are going to lose out on him. Fast bowlers are at their peak between 27 and 32. You don’t want to miss that window, especially when someone is in rhythm,” he added.
“I didn’t understand the selection process. Mohammad Siraj is your go-to bowler. When (Jasprit) Bumrah is not there, Siraj becomes your No.1 bowler. So, what was the need to play against Afghanistan in a Test that wasn’t even part of the World Test Championship? If domestic performances matter, why didn’t you reward Auqib? That was the best opportunity to play him and test him at that level,” Pathan concluded.
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