Jammu and Kashmir's Auqib Nabi etched his name in the annals of cricket history on Friday, August 29, 2025, by achieving a feat never before seen in the Duleep Trophy. Representing North Zone in their quarter-final match against East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru, the 28-year-old right-arm medium pacer claimed four wickets in four consecutive deliveries, becoming the first bowler to achieve this milestone in the tournament's 64-year history.

Nabi's historic spell occurred during East Zone's first innings, as they attempted to chase North Zone's formidable total of 405. The Jammu and Kashmir pacer triggered a dramatic collapse in the East Zone batting lineup, leaving spectators and fellow players in awe.

The remarkable sequence began in the 53rd over when Nabi clean bowled the well-set Virat Singh, who was batting on 69. The next two deliveries saw Manishi trapped leg-before-wicket for a golden duck and Mukhtar Hussain bowled, also for a golden duck, completing Nabi's hat-trick.

Returning for his next over, the 55th, Nabi continued his onslaught by dismissing Suraj Jaiswal with the first ball, caught behind by North Zone wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan for 10, securing his place in Duleep Trophy history with four wickets in four balls. He finished the innings with 5-28 in 10.1 overs, bowling out East Zone for 230.

Nabi's extraordinary performance not only secured a personal milestone but also significantly impacted the match. His five-wicket haul ensured a 175-run first-innings lead for North Zone, putting them in a commanding position.

Prior to this historic achievement, Nabi had already demonstrated his all-round capabilities in the match. He contributed a quickfire 44 off 33 balls with the bat, bolstering North Zone's first-innings total.

Nabi's journey to this momentous occasion has been marked by perseverance and talent. He made his first-class debut for Jammu and Kashmir in 2020, making an impact with a three-wicket haul against Karnataka in the quarter-final. In the previous Ranji Trophy season, Nabi impressed with 44 wickets in 15 innings at an average of 13.9. Overall, Nabi has 95 wickets in 48 First-class innings at an average of 21.3.

Before Auqib Nabi, only two other bowlers had taken a hat-trick in the Duleep Trophy: Kapil Dev in 1978/79 and Sairaj Bahutule in 2000/01. Kapil Dev achieved the feat while playing for North Zone against West Zone in Delhi. Sairaj Bahutule repeated the feat for West Zone against East Zone in Pune. Nabi is now the third joining this elite club.