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'Pace is good, but skills matter': Auqib Nabi on adapting to New Zealand conditions

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The emerging Indian fast bowler is prioritizing scrambled-seam movement and line-and-length discipline to succeed on flat drop-in pitches during his maiden tour of New Zealand. His tactical adjustments helped the national side take a 2-0 series lead ahead of the fourth ODI at Bay Oval. The Jammu and Kashmir native views this current international white-ball opportunity as crucial groundwork for his long-term ambition of playing red-ball cricket. He earned his national selection largely due to a dominant 60-wicket domestic campaign that steered his state side to their first-ever Ranji Trophy championship.

Key points

  • Disciplined seam movement is vital for fast bowlers trying to counter batters on New Zeal…: Disciplined seam movement is vital for fast bowlers trying to counter batters on New Zealand's flat drop-in surfaces.
  • India currently maintains a 2-0 advantage heading into the fourth fixture of the five-mat…: India currently maintains a 2-0 advantage heading into the fourth fixture of the five-match ODI series at Bay Oval.
  • Strong domestic performances in red-ball cricket have translated into valuable white-ball…: Strong domestic performances in red-ball cricket have translated into valuable white-ball international opportunities that will benefit Nabi's future Test aspirations.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW DELHI: India pacer Auqib Nabi believes that having pace is an advantage, but trusting one's skills is equally important. The Jammu and Kashmir pacer says he will stick to the methods that brought him success in domestic cricket as he prepares for the fourth ODI against New Zealand.

Nabi had a quiet start to the five-match series, returning figures of 0/33 in the first ODI, which India won by five wickets (DLS method).

He bounced back in the second match, dismissing New Zealand openers Will Young and Tim Seifert to help India register a four-run victory (DLS method).

The third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned due to rain, with India leading the series 2-0. The fourth match will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday.

"Having pace is good but I back my skills. I will do what I have been doing and what has brought me here. I will just do what I did in domestic cricket, and that will help me here too," Nabi said during the press conference ahead of the fourth ODI.

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