Jammu‑Kashmir’s Ranji Preparations Feature New International Debutant

The Jammu‑Kashmir senior men’s Ranji Trophy preparation camp has welcomed a fresh international face – fast bowler Akib Nabi. Nabi, who recently broke into the Indian one‑day side against West Indies, is part of an 18‑player group that will begin training on Tuesday at the Sher‑e‑Kashmir Cricket Stadium.

The list, cleared by the selection committee and disclosed by Secretary Vivek Khajuria, also includes pace bowler Umaran Malik, captain Paras Dogra, and seasoned campaigners Abdul Samad, Shubham Khajuria, Kamran Iqbal, with left‑arm spinner Abid Mushtaq rounding out the spin department.

He becomes the third cricketer from the region to represent India after Umaran Malik and Parvez Rasool. In a recent domestic game on a Guwahati pitch, Nabi bowled 8.4 overs, yielding 84 runs without a wicket.

Because of his recent national team call‑up, Nabi missed Jammu‑Kashmir’s Iranian Cup match, a fixture the side lost to Rest of India by 167 runs.

Nabi’s contribution of 60 wickets helped J&K clinch the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy title for the first time. He was subsequently added to India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series in August, though he did not make the playing eleven, and later turned out for Surrey in England’s county championship.

With New Zealand’s A‑team tour (three matches) and a two‑match Test series on the horizon for October‑November, the selection panel will scrutinise Nabi’s form closely.