Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has brought the curtain down on his short County Championship stint with Surrey, leaving south London with a warm farewell from the English county and another significant chapter added to his rapidly rising cricket career.
“Thank you, Auqib Nabi. Good luck for your future cricket with India and Kashmir. We loved having you in south London,” Surrey Cricket Club posted on social media, alongside a message wishing the Indian pacer well.
The farewell came after Nabi completed his short-term three-match association with Surrey in the County Championship Division One.
Nabi joined Surrey at the start of September after being signed for their fixtures against Yorkshire, Sussex and Glamorgan. The move came shortly after his maiden India Test call-up and was aimed at giving the J&K pacer valuable exposure to English red-ball conditions. Surrey had specifically been looking to strengthen their bowling resources during a demanding run of fixtures.
A memorable Surrey debut
Nabi made his Surrey debut against Yorkshire at the Kia Oval on September 2, becoming part of a rare Surrey XI alongside fellow Indians KL Rahul and Mahipal Lomror. It was reported as the first known occasion of three Indian players featuring in the same county first-class XI.
His first Surrey wicket was particularly memorable. Nabi dismissed India teammate Kuldeep Yadav, who edged behind to Ollie Pope, giving the J&K pacer his maiden wicket in English county cricket. Nabi finished the first innings with figures of 1 for 33 from 15 overs.
The match itself produced a dramatic finish, with Surrey eventually beating Yorkshire by one wicket. Nabi contributed with the bat as well, hitting a six during Surrey’s tense chase before falling with only two runs required.
Four wickets in his final Surrey game
Nabi saved one of his most impressive bowling performances for his final appearance, against Glamorgan at the Kia Oval beginning September 15.
He returned 4 for 36 from 10 overs as Surrey bowled Glamorgan out for 132 on the opening day. His wickets included Glamorgan captain Kiran Carlson, Jack Hope-Bell and Billy Root.
The match eventually went Glamorgan’s way by 184 runs, but Nabi’s spell was one of the individual highlights of a dramatic game in which all 20 wickets fell on the opening day.
According to available County Championship statistics, Nabi finished his Surrey campaign with 8 wickets from two recorded matches, at an average of 23.88, with best figures of 4 for 36. The statistical record reflects his appearances against Yorkshire and Glamorgan; Surrey’s original signing announcement had listed him for three fixtures, including the Sussex match.
From Kashmir to south London
Nabi’s Surrey opportunity came after a remarkable 2025-26 domestic season for Jammu & Kashmir.
He claimed 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, including a five-wicket haul in the final and nine wickets in the semi-final, helping J&K win their maiden Ranji Trophy title. Surrey noted that Nabi had taken more than 100 wickets across the previous two Ranji seasons.
His domestic performances had already earned him an India call-up for the Test series against Sri Lanka. He was drafted into the squad as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, although he did not make his international debut in the series. Reuters reported that Nabi had taken 104 wickets across the previous two Ranji seasons, including 60 in the championship-winning 2025-26 campaign.
The Surrey stint subsequently added another overseas red-ball experience to his résumé.
Surrey experience comes at an important time
Nabi’s English county spell also arrived at a significant point in his international career. After his Test call-up, he was subsequently selected for India’s maiden ODI squad for the West Indies series, with his first ODI call-up announced on September 16.
For a bowler whose rise has been built largely through Indian domestic cricket, his brief spell in south London offered exposure to different playing conditions, a different red-ball environment and the experience of sharing a dressing room with established international cricketers.
Surrey’s goodbye message now adds a personal touch to that experience.
From Baramulla and Jammu & Kashmir cricket to the Kia Oval, Nabi’s latest journey has taken him another step into the international spotlight.
