Mumbai, April 3 (NationPress) Auqib Nabi, the talented fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, shared his journey from a modest background, inspired by the likes of Parvez Rasool and Dale Steyn. He expressed his gratitude towards former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan for facilitating his debut in the state team. The Delhi Capitals pacer reflected on his childhood and the passion that fueled his ambition to excel as a fast bowler.

"My cricketing journey began with tennis balls during my 5th or 6th grade. There wasn't a dedicated practice venue in Baramulla, so we improvised by playing on the roads and small school grounds. Dale Steyn’s ability to swing the ball at remarkable speeds motivated me to pursue a career as a fast bowler, with hopes of representing India in the future. My father often reprimanded me for my cricket obsession, as he envisioned a future for me as a doctor," Nabi shared with 'JioStar'.

Reflecting on the influences of Parvez Rasool and Irfan Pathan, Nabi mentioned, "Parvez Rasool made his mark for India through impressive performances with RCB in the IPL. Witnessing his success ignited my desire to play for India. Parvez bhai, coming from a local village in Jammu and Kashmir, is truly inspirational. My first significant breakthrough occurred during my Under-19 days when I was selected for the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team trials. At that time, I lacked spiked shoes and had to borrow a pair from a senior player."

"The trials were split into two halves; I borrowed spikes from a friend for my turn. When Irfan bhai joined as Jammu and Kashmir’s mentor, I was part of the Under-23 team, and my performances caught his eye. His guidance was invaluable, providing me with crucial tips. Irfan bhai, being a legend of Team India, was a tremendous influence on my career," he added.

Nabi was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for a whopping Rs 8.2 crore in the mini auction held in Dubai last year. Recalling the emotional moment of being selected following his Duleep Trophy achievements, he said, "This year, I made a rare milestone in the Duleep Trophy while playing for the North Zone team, achieving four wickets in four consecutive deliveries. After that, I gained confidence that I would be selected in the IPL auction."

"On auction day, I was at home with my family, eagerly watching. When my name was announced, there was a brief pause before any team bid. I thought perhaps I wouldn’t be picked. However, soon enough, teams began to raise their paddles, and emotions ran high at home. It felt like years of hard work were finally paying off. Now, I want to establish myself in the IPL and eventually play for India," he concluded.

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan reminisced about his first encounter with Nabi, stating, "I first noticed Auqib Nabi in 2018 when I was mentoring the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team. We aimed to build a solid pool of fast bowlers, and Auqib stood out. He was exceptional at bowling long spells, particularly in Under-23 and junior cricket. I was also impressed by his capability to move the ball late."

Discussing why Nabi’s bowling remains effective despite not consistently reaching speeds of 140 km/h, Pathan explained, "Maintaining a bowling action within the body structure is critical. Auqib possesses this quality; his hand remains aligned with his shoulder, which enhances his line accuracy. His seam position is also noteworthy. The zero-seam position, especially with a new ball, creates significant movement. Many successful bowlers, like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, utilize a straight seam. While Auqib may not clock 140 km/h, his deliveries gain pace after pitching. By bowling close to the stumps, he consistently swings the ball away and can catch batters off-guard with deliveries that move in, which is a significant asset for Auqib Nabi," he remarked.