(AP Photo)
Despite already proving himself as a match-winning bowler in Test cricket, Shoaib Bashir, the talented 20-year-old off-spinner, humbly acknowledges that he is still mastering “the finer points of the game.”
Bashir showcased his prowess in the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge, where he dismantled their batting lineup with figures of 5-41 on the fourth day. The visitors crumbled, losing all their second-innings wickets in just 23 overs as England sealed a commanding 241-run victory to clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Emerging into the Test arena after only six first-class appearances, Bashir made an immediate impact during the tour of India earlier this year, claiming two five-wicket hauls on traditionally spinner-friendly pitches. However, his journey hit a snag at the beginning of the English county season as he found himself on the sidelines at Somerset, edged out by the more experienced Jack Leach.
Seeking more playing time, Bashir made a temporary move to Worcestershire on loan. Throughout this period, England’s captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum continued to show unwavering confidence in his abilities, highlighting their belief in his potential.
“A lot has happened in the last few years,” said Bashir. “I can’t get ahead of Leachy at Somerset, understandably, he’s obviously played a lot more cricket than I have.
“Jack was over the moon for me (getting selected for England). We had a chat and he just told me to enjoy it. He’s a class spinner and I’ve learned a lot off him. There’s always so much to learn. I’m only 20, I’m still learning the tricks of the trade.
“There’s a lot to work on, in cricket you never complete the game. Going on loan was a decision I had to make to play cricket at a high level, that’s part of the journey.”
He added: “I didn’t have too many expectations going into this game, I’m still trying to comprehend what’s happened.”
Despite his relatively modest return of 16 wickets at an average of 70.68 in 10 domestic first-class matches, Shoaib Bashir has quickly made a mark in Test cricket, amassing a promising tally of 24 wickets at an average of 29.83 across five Tests.
The current England selectors prioritize more than just statistics, focusing instead on Bashir’s unique attributes. His height and ability to generate drift, coupled with his aggressive bowling line, have been identified by team management as qualities ideally suited for international cricket.
“Bowling spin in England is pretty tough, but I’m grateful I’m a 6ft 4in (1.93 metres) spinner because it’s a nice attribute to have,” he said.
“The extra bounce helps. We saw it here (at Trent Bridge), if you land the ball in the right areas, a few will bounce and a few will skid on. I’ve got experienced guys in the team that help me make judgments on the pitch, what lines to bowl and what paces to bowl.
“I’m just grateful to be in the position I am. I’m always going to stay grounded, stay humble, and I’m just trying to enjoy every moment I have in an England shirt.”
