Within a month of winning their first BCCI tournament, Jammu and Kashmir scripted history on Monday by qualifying for the Ranji Trophy semifinals for the first time, registering a memorable 56-run victory over former champions Madhya Pradesh, powered by a sensational bowling performance from pacer Auqib Nabi.
The 29-year-old fast bowler delivered a career-defining spell, claiming a match haul of 12 wickets, as Madhya Pradesh were bowled out for 234 while chasing a target of 291. With this win, J&K advanced to the last-four stage of India's premier domestic tournament for the first time in their 67-year Ranji Trophy history.
"Our team scripted history by entering semi- finals for the first time. It is an excellent team effort by all players", Brig Anil Gupta, member of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) told International Business Times. He especially mentioned the excellent performance of Auqib Nabi, who got 12 wickets in the match.
"One cannot stay without mentioning Auqib Nabi's historic achievement. 12 wickets in the match. J&K is ready to roar in the semis now. Well played, J&K. Excellent effort of the entire coaching staff and the team", Brig Anil Gupta, posted on his social media handle.
Auqib emerged as the standout performer, following up his first-innings figures of 7 for 40 with another incisive spell of 5 for 70 in the second innings, dismantling the Madhya Pradesh batting line-up and finishing with match figures of 12 wickets for just 110 runs.
Resuming the day at 84 for 5, Madhya Pradesh never fully recovered as Auqib struck early, dismissing Ramveer Gurjar for 11, before ending the resistance put up by Saransh Jain, who scored a gritty 64 off 81 balls. India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was dismissed early in the day after adding only 20 runs to the overnight total.
Tailender Aryan Pandey contributed 22 runs, but the collapse was inevitable as J&K bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq provided solid support, picking up three wickets for 49 runs.
With this historic win, Jammu and Kashmir will now face the winner of the quarterfinal between Andhra and Bengal in the semifinals. The other semifinal will be played between Uttarakhand and Karnataka. J&K had last reached the Ranji Trophy knockout stage six years ago.
In January, J&K also won the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy.
Earlier this year, the Jammu and Kashmir Under-16 team clinched the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate Group title, the Union Territory's first-ever BCCI crown, after defeating Mizoram by an innings and 182 runs on the third day of the final.
J&K won the four-day match with a day to spare. They took a commanding first-innings lead of 300 runs, piling up 400 all out in 95.1 overs in reply to Mizoram's 100 all out after batting first.
Captain Smagey Khajuria scored a fine 102 off 174 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six, while Athrav Sharma remained unbeaten on 92 off 137 balls, smashing 17 fours and a six.
J&K bowlers then bundled out Mizoram for 118 in 42.4 overs in their second innings on the third day of the match.
Sanil Singh (3/15), Jaskaran Singh (2/8) and Hammaad Firdous (2/22) starred with the ball for J&K. In Mizoram's first innings as well, Sanil and Jaskaran had taken three wickets apiece.
The Vijay Merchant Trophy Under-16 Elite competition was held from January 4 to 28.
Earlier in 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir senior team had also defeated a star-studded Mumbai side by five wickets in a Ranji Trophy match.
