1st unofficial Test: Auqib Nabi impresses after batters fail on green top on Day 1

NZ A vs IND A, 1st unofficial Test Day 1: India's batting guns failed on a green top in Lincoln on Day 1 of the four-day match. KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan were among the batters who did not trouble the scorers. Later in day, Auqib Nabi took two wickets.Auqib Nabi picked up two wickets for India A vs New Zealand A on Saturday (PTI File Photo)New Delhi,Oct 24, 2026 12:35 ISTIt was an unforgiving day for India A's batters in Lincoln on Saturday. New Zealand A made the most of a green pitch at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, bowling out the visitors for just 113 in 39.3 overs on Day 1 of the first four-day unofficial Test. Several of India's established Test players, including KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, struggled to cope with the conditions. India A's bowlers fought back late in the day, with Auqib Nabi striking twice in quick succession after Mukesh Choudhary dismissed New Zealand A captain Rhys Mariu to leave the hosts at 135/3 at stumps.Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar and Akash Deep were dismissed for ducks, while India A captain Dhruv Jurel managed just one run. Five Indian batters failed to open their accounts as the visitors struggled against a disciplined New Zealand A pace attack.Simon Keene was the pick of the bowlers, claiming five wickets for 24 runs in 11.3 overs. Zak Gibson provided able support with three wickets, including those of Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal, while Fraser Sheat and Kristian Clarke took one wicket apiece.New Zealand A captain Rhys Mariu won the toss and elected to field, a decision that paid immediate dividends. Sheat struck early, removing Rahul for a duck after the opener had faced eight deliveries. Jaiswal and Padikkal attempted to steady the innings, but Gibson ended the former's resistance for 17 off 45 balls. Padikkal offered some stability with a patient 32 off 77 deliveries, hitting five boundaries. However, his dismissal to Gibson triggered a collapse that India A struggled to arrest. Keene accounted for Sudharsan and Jurel before continuing to trouble the lower order.Yash Rathod provided the only substantial resistance, counter-attacking his way to an unbeaten 44 off 49 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Anshul Kamboj contributed 10, but India A had little else to show as the innings folded for 113. The match offers India's Test regulars valuable time in the middle ahead of the senior team's two-match Test series against New Zealand, beginning on November 19. The India A squad includes several players from the senior set-up, with the four-day fixtures intended to help them acclimatise to conditions in New Zealand. The first of three unofficial Tests is being followed by matches in Christchurch and Lincoln.AUQIB NABI IMPRESSESNew Zealand A responded strongly, reaching 135 for three in 41 overs at stumps to take a 22-run first-innings lead. Mariu led the charge with 76, while Curtis Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37.India A had to wait 38 overs for their first breakthrough before left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary trapped Mariu leg-before. Auqib Nabi then struck twice in quick succession. Jayden Lennox was bowled after shouldering arms to a delivery that swung in, before Nabi dismissed Tim Robinson leg-before with a delivery that kept low. Nabi finished the day with figures of two for 31 in eight overs.Finally some wicket for INDIA A 1 Mukesh Choudhary 2 w Auqib Nabi #INDAvsNZA #Newzeland https://t.co/dmpr7AOvDm— @CricketPulse (@VikashJajra4500) October 24, 2026Akash Deep, returning to the India A set-up after an injury lay-off, also found some rhythm after an initially wayward spell. Although he went wicketless, he conceded just 18 runs in 10 overs.For India A, the challenge on Day 2 will be to build on the late wickets and prevent New Zealand A from extending their advantage.- Ends