Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi possesses all the qualities needed to succeed in international cricket, saying the youngster’s greatest strength lies in his ability to force batters into mistakes through skill and movement rather than relying solely on express pace.

Nabi received the biggest reward of his promising domestic career on Monday when he earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, beginning on August 15. The talented seamer has been drafted into the squad as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah, opening the door to what could be a defining chapter in his cricketing journey.

Pathan, who has closely followed Nabi’s development over the years, expressed confidence that the young pacer has the temperament and bowling attributes required to make an impact at the highest level. The former India star first noticed Nabi during talent trials conducted in Srinagar in 2018 and later worked with several young cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir as part of his mentoring role.

Reflecting on Nabi’s growth, Pathan said the right-arm pacer has consistently impressed with his discipline, natural bowling action and ability to generate movement off the pitch.

“What stands out about Auqib is that he does not depend entirely on raw pace,” Pathan said. “His biggest strength is making batters commit mistakes while defending. He bowls in the right areas, asks questions of the batter on every delivery and uses the conditions intelligently. That is a quality that becomes even more valuable in Test cricket.”

According to Pathan, Nabi’s bowling mechanics also set him apart from many young fast bowlers. His smooth action, upright wrist position and ability to consistently seam the ball allow him to trouble even technically sound batters.

“He has a very natural action, and his wrist stays in an excellent position at the point of release,” Pathan explained. “That helps him move the ball both in the air and off the surface. When a bowler can combine control with movement, pace becomes less important because the batter is constantly under pressure.”

The former all-rounder added that Nabi’s patience and willingness to build pressure over multiple overs make him ideally suited to the demands of the longest format. Rather than searching for spectacular deliveries, the youngster focuses on maintaining disciplined lines and lengths until the batter makes an error.

Nabi’s journey to the national team has been one of perseverance and steady progress. Having emerged from Jammu and Kashmir’s growing cricket structure, he has worked tirelessly in domestic cricket, gradually earning recognition through consistent performances with the ball. His selection is also viewed as another positive milestone for cricket in the region, which has produced several talented players in recent years.

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The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka presents Nabi with a valuable opportunity to learn alongside experienced bowlers and establish himself in the Indian setup. Although he has been drafted in as Bumrah’s replacement, expectations remain high that he can use the experience to further develop his skills and compete for a regular place in the Test squad.

India will begin the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15 as they continue their World Test Championship campaign. With challenging assignments against New Zealand and Australia scheduled later in the season, the team management will also be keen to assess the country’s emerging fast-bowling talent.

For Pathan, Nabi’s rise is the result of years of hard work, discipline and belief. As the young pacer prepares to take the next step in his career, the former India all-rounder is confident that his ability to create opportunities through precision, movement and intelligent bowling will serve him well on the international stage.