Irfan Pathan slams India selectors for leaving out Auqib Nabi from Test squad

Former Indian all‑rounder Irfan Pathan criticised the Ajit Agarkar‑led selection committee for excluding fast bowler Auqib Nabi from the senior Test team. Pathan highlighted Nabi’s standout domestic season, where he topped the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets at an average of 12.56 and helped Jammu & Kashmir secure their first Ranji Trophy title, including a five‑wicket haul in the final against Karnataka.

Pathan questioned the decision to play Mohammed Siraj in the one‑off Test against Afghanistan – a match that did not count toward the World Test Championship – and asked why a bowler with strong first‑class figures and lower‑order batting was not given a chance in the upcoming two‑Test series in Sri Lanka. He said, “I honestly don’t have any logical answer for Nabi not being picked… If domestic performances matter, why didn’t you reward Auqib?”