In an attempt to pull a rabbit out of the hat, the English selectors have picked the uncapped 20-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the 16-member squad for next month's five-Test series in India. Bashir is one of four spinners who have been picked, and his selection appears to have come out of nowhere. (Cricket News)
This is the rookie Somerset bowler's maiden international call-up, after an impressive debut season with the West Country side. Bashir will be on the plane to India in January as one of the four spin options for the Ben Stokes-led team, with England’s coaching team and support staff aiming to get the promising bowler experience in spin-friendly conditions.
Bashir played in the Surrey youth setup from the age of nine to 17, and lined up for the Berkshire Under-18s before joining Somerset. He made his First-Class debut at the age of 19 in June 2023, facing a stiff challenge against Sir Alastair Cook at Chelmsford.
Though the youngster went wicketless on his first day of bowling, his control and temperament impressed spectators, including the England scouts. Subsequent performances across red- and white-ball cricket earned the 20-year-old a call-up to England Lions’ recent training camp in the UAE.
The off-spinner scalped 10 wickets in the County Championship last season, but caused a lot more trouble to experienced batters than the wickets column suggests.
"It's been a mad, mad journey," Bashir told The Cricketer during his debut match against Essex. "I've always dreamed about being a professional cricketer. It means the world. I'm going to keep working hard, keep grinding and hopefully maintain this level. There is still a lot to work on.”
Bashir will join experienced left-armer Jack Leach, teenage leggie Rehan Ahmed and another uncapped bowler Tom Hartley as England's spin battery on the tour. The team will play five Tests in India, beginning 25 January in Hyderabad.
