Somerset Youngster Shoaib Stars Despite England Defeat
Youngster Shoaib Bashir produced a star performance on only his second appearance for England despite the visitors sliding to defeat in the fourth Test of the current series with India.
The Somerset off-spinner - pictured in action for his County - had been a surprise inclusion in the squad for the series having appeared in just six first class matches, but made his debut in the second Test in place of Jack Leach, taking 3-138 in the first innings and four wickets in the match in total.
Recalled to the team for the fourth Test as England looked to level the series, Bashir proved to be the star man with the ball when India took to the crease on day two responding to England’s first innings total of 351.
Despite his tender years, and his lack of experience compared to the more senior players in the squad, Bashir would bowl a monster spell of 31 overs as he took 4-84 – including a spell of 3-5 – as India reached 219-7.
Bashir would claim another wicket on the third day to end up with 5-119 as India were bowed out for 307 before England set the home side a target of 192 to secure the victory.
That made him the second youngest bowler in English test history to claim a five wicket haul, beaten only by a teenage Rehan Ahmed – who took five wickets on his debut back in 2022.
India headed into the fourth day on 40-0 and needing another 152 to win, but another final spell of bowling from Bashir saw the home side reduced from 99-2 to 120-5 – with Rajat Padar and Sarfaraz Khan both dismissed without scoring.
It gave England a fighting chance of the win, and although India managed to knock off the remaining runs and secure the win, Bashir’s performance drew widespread praise, with former captain Michael Vaughan lauding the 20-year-old as ‘one of the great selections’ for the touring squad.
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