BCCI is looking to create a county stint for Auqib Nabi with the New Zealand series in mind

With India’s next Test tour of New Zealand in mind, the BCCI is in talks with several English counties to secure a short-term contract for talented pacer Auqib Nabi during the final few rounds of the championship.

Nabi, the highest wicket-taker of last Ranji season with 60 scalpsand Gurnoor Brar did not get a glimpse into the playing XI for the two Tests against Sri Lanka recently.

While Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna have earned much-needed breaks related to workload, Gurnoor Brar will link up with the North Zone side for the semi-final against South Zone starting on November 30 at the Center of Excellence.

“It was the decision of the Indian think-tank team (team management and selection committee) that Gurnoor will play the Duleep Trophy. Arshdeep (Singh) and Anshul (Kamboj) are already playing in the eleven and Gurnoor will replace Sunil Kumar. So BCCI is looking for at least two to three red-ball matches for Auqib, a source for Auqib for England, said a source on condition of anonymity.

Surrey are believed to be in the market for a swing bowler and there has been talk that Nabi could play a few games at the elite London county club.

It is understood that former England captain Alec Stewart, who is also the Surrey leader, has held talks with the relevant people at the BCCI.

“Though the conditions are a bit different in New Zealand, but Auqib will definitely be in the scheme of things. So a couple of matches won’t be bad for him while Gurnoor plays the Duleep Trophy. BCCI is trying to get his UK visa and he might go to UK after his arrival,” the source added.

Manav Suthar has already played two matches for Warwickshire, while Kuldeep Yadav is back in England for Yorkshire’s red ball games. Ashutosh Sharma played in the Royal London One Day Cup for Middlesex.

R Sai Kishore also plays for Gloucestershire.

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Published on:

28 Aug 2026 19:19 IST