Irfan Pathan raises questions over Auqib Nabi’s snub for the IND vs SL Test series

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan raised questions on the Indian Team's selection process. He showed his disappointment over Auqib Nani's omission from India squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka Tour. The Indian Team will play 2 match test series against Sri Lanka from August 15 to 27. Pathan expressed his disappointment over the selection process. He said; 

"I honestly don't have any logical answer for Nabi not being picked," Pathan said.

"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?"

Auqib Nabi played brilliantly in domestic cricket and the A-level series. Pathan said that Nabi has proved himself in domestic cricket; despite this, he didn't get a chance. Pathan is clearly asking the selection panel, " What's wrong with Auqib Nabi?

“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 stated. 

"What signal are we sending to domestic cricketers? Saransh Jain getting picked on the back of domestic performances is fantastic. It tells domestic cricketers that performances will be rewarded. He's 33 and got rewarded for four or five years of consistent performances," Pathan explained. "But then, what's wrong with Auqib? He has performed consistently too, and as a fast bowler there are even more opportunities because pacers get injured more often, so a back-up always helps," he concluded.

For the Sri Lanka tour, Saransh Jain got his maiden call-up. He is included in the place of Washington Sundar. The first test between India and Sri Lanka will take place at Galle International Stadium, Galle, from August 15 to 19. The SCC will host the second test from August 23 to 27. BCCI announced a 15-member squad for the tour a couple of days ago. For the tour, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, like veteran players, are returning.