From Berkshire Under-18s to a Test cap, we run through the 20-year-old’s remarkable rise
- Shoaib Bashir is set to make his Test debut in the second match against India, and his pathway to the national team is characterized by a distinctive series of events.
- About six and a half months ago, the 19-year-old off-spinner made his first-class debut for Somerset against Essex, where he had a relatively modest performance. However, his unconventional bowling style and a standout over against Sir Alastair Cook caught the attention of England captain Ben Stokes.
- Stokes, who is actively engaged on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stumbled upon a video shared by Somerset Cricket featuring Bashir’s talents.
- Despite the less-than-remarkable statistics in his following matches, Stokes found himself fascinated by Bashir’s unconventional run-up and bowling action.
- Impressed by the way Bashir dismissed Cook twice in his first over, “Stokes forwarded the video to a WhatsApp group that included head coach Brendon McCullum and ECB managing director Rob Key”.
- Stokes expressed his interest in Bashir, suggesting he could be a valuable asset for the upcoming India tour. Bashir subsequently earned a spot on the Lions tour, where his performance received positive feedback from the coaching staff. Selected for the India tour, Bashir further justified his inclusion during England’s preparatory camp in Abu Dhabi.
- Despite encountering visa issues that temporarily jeopardized his Test debut, Bashir eventually joined the squad in Hyderabad. With Jack Leach ruled out of the second Test in Visakhapatnam, Stokes and McCullum quickly decided to include Bashir as the third spinner in the XI. Stokes emphasized that Bashir was not selected merely for the experience and stated that they would turn to him if needed.
- As Bashir prepares for his Test debut, the cricketing world anticipates how he will repay the faith shown in him by Stokes and the coaching staff. The selection is based on Stokes’ conviction in Bashir’s unique bowling style and its potential effectiveness against Indian batters, particularly given their historical struggles against off-spinners.
- England has once again opted for a rookie spinner, this time selecting offspinner Shoaib Bashir to replace the injured Jack Leach for the second Test against India. Following the success of debutant Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed in Hyderabad, England is looking to Bashir as a direct replacement for Leach, their most experienced spinner on the tour.
- Bashir wasn’t widely known when England included him in their 16-man squad for the India tour in December, surpassing the leading spinner in the previous year’s County Championship, Liam Dawson. Despite having played only six first-class games and boasting an unremarkable record of 10 wickets at an average of 67.00, Bashir caught selectors’ attention during a Lions training camp in the UAE. His notable performance, where he took six wickets against Afghanistan A in front of Brendon McCullum and Rob Key, earned him a spot in the squad.
- Bashir’s journey to international cricket has been unconventional. Initially part of Surrey’s pathway from Under-9s to Under-17s, he was released, raising concerns about a professional career. However, he seized the opportunity with Somerset after catching their eye while playing for Berkshire Under-18s.
- Reflecting on his rapid journey, Bashir expressed, “Everything’s happened very quickly, in the blink of an eye.” The same sentiment applies to his imminent Test debut, highlighting the unexpected turn of events in his cricketing career.
- While Bashir faces a significant leap in competition, England is optimistic about his potential impact, drawing parallels with Tom Hartley’s success. Hartley, another tall finger spinner, rebounded from a challenging first inning to secure a match-winning seven-wicket haul in the second. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, known for his adept handling of spinners, could play a crucial role in Bashir’s adaptation to Test cricket.
Who is Shoaib Bashir?
Shoaib Bashir, born on October 13, 2003, is a cricketer representing Somerset, known for his role as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. His first-class debut for Somerset took place on June 11, 2023, against Essex, and he made his T20 Blast debut on June 7, 2023, against Hampshire.
Career
Before joining Somerset in 2022, Bashir showcased his skills in club cricket with Guildford, age-group cricket with Surrey and Middlesex, and Minor Counties cricket with Berkshire. He also played club cricket in Australia during the winter of 2022–2023.
Somerset
Bashir earned a contract for the 2023 season with Somerset in October 2022, following an impressive performance in Second-XI fixtures. His standout performance included taking nine wickets at an average of 14.11, with a best of 5 for 44 against the Warwickshire Second XI.
During the 2023 season, he continued to play Second-XI matches for Somerset and featured in warm-up games in red-ball cricket. On June 7, 2023, he made his T20 Blast debut, and two days later, he claimed his first wickets, securing a 3-26 victory against Gloucestershire.
Bashir’s promising career with Somerset led to a two-year contract extension, tying him to the county until the end of the 2025 season. Notably, he played a crucial role in Somerset’s T20 Blast victory at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on July 15, 2023.
International career
In October 2023, Bashir received his first call-up to the England Lions cricket team. In his debut match against Afghanistan B, he showcased his talent by taking six wickets for 42 runs in 15 overs across both innings.
On December 11, 2023, Bashir earned his maiden call-up to the senior England side, being included in the 16-man squad for the test tour of India. Subsequently, on February 1, 2024, he made his test debut for England in the second test match against India in Visakhapatnam.
Personal life
In terms of personal life, Bashir, with Pakistani heritage, follows the Muslim faith. Standing at an impressive height of 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), he is recognized for his off-spinning abilities and has not explored seam bowling despite his tall stature.
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