Stunning Display Of Nine-Wicket Haul by Auqib Nabi Haul Puts Jammu Kashmir on Brink of Maiden Ranji Trophy Final

Stunning Display Of Nine-Wicket Haul by Auqib Nabi Haul Puts Jammu Kashmir on Brink of Maiden Ranji Trophy Final

SRINAGAR: A stunning all-round display by Auqib Nabi has pushed Jammu and Kashmir to the verge of a historic first-ever final in the Ranji Trophy, overshadowing a career-best performance from Mohammed Shami and leaving Bengal on the brink of elimination at home.

On a dramatic third day of the semi-final, Jammu and Kashmir bowled Bengal out for just 99 in 25.1 overs. Chasing a modest target of 126, the visitors closed at 43 for two at stumps, needing only 83 more runs with two full days remaining.

The day began with Bengal in a commanding position. Resuming at 198 for five, J&K were rocked by a relentless spell from Shami, who returned figures of 8 for 90 in 22.1 overs — one of the finest performances of his first-class career. Operating consistently in the mid-130 kph range and exploiting the fifth-stump channel, Shami removed Abid Mushtaq and Kanhaiya Wadhawan to claim his third five-wicket haul of the season and the 15th of his 97-match first-class career.

With J&K reduced to 269 for seven, Bengal looked set for a decisive first-innings lead. Nabi, however, changed the course of the contest.

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The all-rounder struck a counter-attacking 42 off 54 balls, including a six and five boundaries. Supported by Yudhvir Singh’s brisk 33, he stitched a vital 64-run ninth-wicket stand that carried J&K to 302, trimming the deficit to just 30 after Bengal’s first-innings 328. Earlier, Abdul Samad (82) and Paras Dogra (58) had anchored the innings.

Bengal Collapse as Nabi Strikes Again

If Shami lit up the morning, Nabi dismantled Bengal in the afternoon.

He struck with the first ball of the second innings, trapping Sudip Chatterjee lbw for a duck. Sunil Kumar then removed first-innings centurion Sudip Kumar Gharami for a three-ball duck, leaving Bengal reeling.

Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran fell for five, again leg before to Nabi, as Bengal’s top order collapsed for just five runs collectively. On a surface that had eased out compared to earlier days, the home side’s implosion was both sudden and startling.

Nabi finished with 4 for 36 in the second innings, adding to his first-innings five for 87 to complete a nine-wicket match haul. His season tally now stands at 55 wickets from 16 innings at an average under 13 — numbers that underline his dominance this campaign.

Sunil Kumar chipped in with 4 for 27, while Yudhvir Singh picked up two wickets as Bengal folded inside a session.

Set 126 to win, J&K lost Shubham Khajuria and Yawer Hasan early to Akash Deep. But Shubham Pundir remained unbeaten on 23, with youngster Vanshaj Sharma steady at the other end as stumps were drawn.

For Bengal, chasing a first Ranji title since 1989–90 and hoping to host the final, the collapse has left them needing an extraordinary fightback. Despite Shami’s eight-wicket masterclass, it is Jammu and Kashmir who now stand within touching distance of history.