Irfan Pathan slams exclusion of Auqib Nabi Dar from SL vs IND 2026 Tests

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has slammed the selectors for ignoring Auqib Nabi Dar for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Despite having a splendid run in the Ranji Trophy in the previous season, the fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir was also excluded from the one-off Test match against Afghanistan.

The fast bowler led his team to glory for the first time in the domestic tournament’s history. Nabi scalped 60 wickets in 10 matches of the 2025-26 season at a stunning average of 12.57, including seven five-wicket hauls.

Pathan recalled that Nabi breathed down the neck of the senior batters like KL Rahul in the previous season’s final of the Ranji Trophy.

Irfan Pathan said on Sportstar, “I honestly don’t have any logical answer for Nabi not being picked. People talk about pace, but you’ve got to see how a bowler is beating the bat. Is he troubling the best batters in domestic cricket? He has done that consistently. Even in the final of the Ranji Trophy, he troubled senior batters like K.L. Rahul and everyone saw that. So, his performances deserved a reward.”

Pathan reckons a fast bowler is at the peak of his prowess from age 27 to 32 and the selectors must utilise Nabi’s services when he is in form.

“The more you delay a fast bowler’s peak, the more you are going to lose out on him. Fast bowlers are at their peak between 27 and 32. You don’t want to miss that window, especially when someone is in rhythm.”

Pathan questioned the selectors for picking Mohammed Siraj in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, which was not even part of the WTC cycle. The former swing bowler also questioned Nabi’s absence from the one-off Test.

“I didn’t understand the selection process. Mohammad Siraj is your go-to bowler. When (Jasprit) Bumrah is not there, Siraj becomes your No.1 bowler. So, what was the need to play against Afghanistan in a Test that wasn’t even part of the World Test Championship. If domestic performances matter, why didn’t you reward Auqib? That was the best opportunity to play him and test him at that level,” said Pathan (via the aforementioned source).

The first Test match between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Galle from August 15 onwards.