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Thursday, March 28, 2024

‘Forgotten star’ Abid Nabi knocks at JK cricket team door

Local‘Forgotten star’ Abid Nabi knocks at JK cricket team door

Before the rise of Parvez Rasool, there was Abid Nabi, the first poster boy of JK Cricket who despite boosting top domestic performance in last two years has been continuously ignored for JK team selection.

Abid Nabi is better known in national cricket arena for his short fame of being called by then Team India coach, Greg Chappell to bowl in nets against Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and others. He is also known as a JK cricketer who played in rebel event, Indian Cricket League (ICL).abid-nabi-1

During last two years, Abid Nabi has been completely ignored by the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) for selection in Ranji trophy team and other formats of the game. It is despite the fact that during last two seasons Abid has emerged as among the top all-rounder’s of State in shorter format of the game. The fact is that most of the cricket played in state is of shorter format and in that he has proved his talent and worth continuously.

Abid Nabi last played for JK in year 2014 for T20 campaign in which he scored 84 runs and took seven wickets.

Though most of the cricket season this year was taken away by the summer unrest, Abid Nabi still boosts strong numbers behind his back by playing in local events all around the state. He is among the very few cricketers who keep themselves busy with the cricket which is his livelihood. He plays, in Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtiwar apart from all over Kashmir.

 His recent performance in the event held at Kathua was impressive. In the six matches he scored 513 runs that included two centuries. He also took 16 wickets for his side in the process.

One of the selectors wishing anonymity said that Abid Nabi has made his case strong for the T20 selection and there is no way he can be left out of the squad.

“There has been no doubt about the talent and potential of this cricketer. He has got all the abilities that we look in a player. However, it is his attitude and work ethics that have hindered him in his career,” he said.

“This season there was almost no domestic cricket season. However, still in whatever events we have seen Abid he has made his case strong. We may have ignored him for 4-day format but when it comes to T20 selection he is the best suited cricketer that we have got,” he said.

Abid Nabi said that he holds no grudge against anyone neither he  blames anyone for his non inclusion in the teams.

“I have been told to perform in domestic circuit and I am keeping myself busy by playing in events around the State. It is my job to keep giving good performances. Rest it is their prerogative to choose best available players for the JK team. If I am not considered that means rest are better than me,” he said. (Source Greater Kashmir)

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