Auqib Nabi signs short-term County Championship deal ahead of New Zealand Test series

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has secured a short-term deal with Surrey and will feature in three County Championship Division One matches as he looks to sharpen his red-ball game ahead of India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.

According to cricinfo, Nabi received his UK work visa clearance on Saturday and travelled to England soon after. He is expected to make his Surrey debut against Yorkshire at The Oval on September 2.




Move aimed at New Zealand preparation
The stint has been arranged with an eye on India’s two-Test tour of New Zealand in November. The BCCI is understood to have facilitated the move to give Nabi valuable experience in English conditions, where seam movement and red-ball bowling can provide useful preparation for the New Zealand assignment.

Nabi’s stock has risen significantly in recent months. He was recently called into India’s Test squad as a replacement for injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the Sri Lanka series, although he did not get a game after India opted for Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj.


Stellar Ranji Trophy campaign
The 29-year-old was one of the standout performers in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic maiden Ranji Trophy title-winning campaign.

Nabi finished the 2025-26 tournament as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 60 wickets in 10 matches and 17 innings at an outstanding average of 12.56. His tally included seven five-wicket hauls, playing a major role in J&K’s breakthrough domestic triumph. He also represented India A on their recent tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets across two first-class matches.

After his domestic heroics, he was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.4 crore in the 2026 IPL auction, featuring in five games but failing to pick up any wickets, leaking runs at an economy of 11.46.

Surrey has had several Indian players wearing its colours, with Sai Sudharsan having short stints in 2023 and 2024 and then Rajasthan batter Mahipal Lomror being signed for six matches earlier this month. Also, Indian spinner Rahul Chahar is contracted to the club.