Shoaib Bashir

Born in England on October 13, 2003, Shoaib Bashir is a rising cricket player for Somerset. His right-handed off-break bowling and hitting are well-known. When Shoaib made his first-class and T20 cricket debut for Somerset in June 2023, the media took notice. His first-class debut came against Essex on June 11, while his T20 Blast debut was a few days earlier, on June 7, against Hampshire.

Shoaib's talent and diligence have brought him rapid recognition on a global scale. He earned his England test debut in a much-awaited match against India in February 2024. Shoaib has shown promise as a young cricket player, both with the bat and the ball, and many people are optimistic about his future in the game. His career is being closely observed by both enthusiasts and professionals, as he continues to leave his mark in both English and international cricket.

Shoaib Bashir Along the Year

Shoaib Bashir Career

The gifted young cricketer Shoaib Bashir started for age-group teams with Surrey, Middlesex, and Berkshire as well as Guildford's club squad. While participating in the 2022–2023 winter season for Lindfield District Cricket Club in Australia, he also gained experience. Bashir never attempted seam bowling despite his height, preferring to concentrate on his spin bowling abilities.

Bashir's achievements for Somerset's Second XI in October 2022 were impressive, as he claimed nine wickets at an average of 14.11, including a noteworthy 5-44 against Warwickshire. He was rewarded for this with a 2023 season contract from Somerset. In June 2023, he made his T20 Blast debut for Somerset against Gloucestershire, taking 3-26. He went on to play Second XI cricket. He was given a two-year contract extension by the club because of his talent, and he soon made his first-class debut against Essex. After playing an important part in Somerset's success in the T20 Blast in July 2023, Bashir's performances by October attracted the attention of England Lions selectors. He demonstrated his talent by taking six wickets for 42 runs in his Lions debut against Afghanistan B. Ben Stokes, the captain of England, saw his sensational bowling performance against former captain Alastair Cook in a first-class match and suggested that he be included in the team's test series against India.

Bashir was named in England's 16-man team for their December 2023 tour of India, but because of his Pakistani ancestry, he had trouble getting a visa, a scenario that caught the attention of the British Parliament. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak intervened, and Bashir was granted his visa and allowed to join the squad in India. In just his second Test match, Bashir claimed a record-tying five wickets in his first Test against India in February 2024. He proceeded to have success in the West Indies series, taking five wickets in July 2024 to become the youngest England spinner to do so at home. Despite his short first-class experience, Bashir’s fast rise indicates his enormous potential as a crucial player for England.

Shoaib Bashir Domestic Career

Shoaib Bashir first caught Somerset's eye while playing for Berkshire U18s. His stellar performances, especially a 5-for-44 against Warwickshire for Somerset’s Second XI in September 2022, led to him securing a contract with the team through the 2025 season.

In 2023, Shoaib made significant strides, debuting for Somerset in all formats. He made an instant impact in Twenty20 cricket, taking three wickets in his Vitality Blast debut in Bristol. One of his standout moments in First-Class cricket was a double-wicket maiden against Hampshire, which included dismissing the highly regarded James Vince.

Shoaib, a skilled off-spinner and capable lower-order batsman, faced challenges on his journey to becoming a professional cricketer. Released by Surrey at 17, he played for Berkshire and Middlesex before his impressive performances for Somerset’s Second XI earned him a professional contract. In October 2022, after taking nine wickets at an average of 14.11, Somerset offered him a contract for the 2023 season.

He continued to impress throughout 2023, featuring in several Second XI matches and warm-up games before the County Championship. Shoaib made his T20 Blast debut for Somerset on June 7, 2023, against Hampshire, and two days later, took 3 for 26 in a victory over Gloucestershire. His strong form earned him a two-year contract extension on June 10, 2023, and the following day, he made his First-Class debut against Essex.

His season continued to shine, and on July 15, 2023, he played a key role in Somerset’s T20 Blast triumph, helping the team secure wins against Essex and Surrey on Finals Day. In June 2024, Shoaib furthered his progress by joining Worcestershire on a short-term loan, making his T20 Blast debut against Nottinghamshire.

Shoaib Bashir Franchise Career

Shoaib Machine started his career in Vitality Blast on Monday Seth in 2023. In his first season, Shoaib took four wickets while bowling in four innings of five matches, in which he took 3 wickets for 26 runs in one game.

In the 2024 T20 Blast, Shoaib took two wickets in two matches while playing for Worcestershire, and with this, he has taken 6 wickets in a total of 7 Vitality Blast matches so far, in which his best performance is three wickets for 26 runs.

Shoaib Bashir International Career

Ben Stokes, the captain of England, became interested in young cricketer Shoaib Bashir after seeing a video go viral of him bowling to veteran England opener Alastair Cook when Bashir was making his first-class debut for Somerset. Inspired by his skill, Stokes sent the film to Rob Key, managing director of the ECB, and Brendon McCullum, head coach of England. Despite the fact that Bashir had only participated in six first-class matches at the time, Stokes pushed for the spinner to be included in England's squad for their 2024 Test series in India.

Visa problems, which were allegedly related to Bashir's Pakistani ancestry, caused a delay in his call-up to the national squad. His visa issues were brought up in the British Parliament, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak even stepped in to assist in finding a solution. After obtaining his visa, Bashir eventually joined the squad in India.

In February 2024, in the second Test match of the series against India, Bashir made his debut for England. In just his second Test match, he took five wickets. He became the second-youngest foreign spinner to take five wickets in India with this feat. During England's West Indies series in July 2024, Bashir cemented his place in the history books by claiming his third five-wicket haul, making history as the youngest England spinner to do so at home. Bashir has established himself as a rising star in England's bowling lineup despite early setbacks.

Shoaib Bashir Test Career

Shoaib made his Test debut on 2 February 2024 against India in Visakhapatnam where he took three wickets while bowling in the first innings and one in the second innings.

Shoaib Basir announced his arrival in international cricket by taking the first five-wicket haul of his career in the first innings of the second match of his debut series and then took another five-wicket haul in the next match to take 17 wickets in three matches.

Due to his excellent performance in his debut Test series, he was also included in the Test series against the West Indies in July, where he impressed once again and completed his third five-wicket haul of his Test career in the second innings of the first match of the series.

Shoaib Basir took 9 wickets in four innings of two Tests and three Tests against the West Indies, which also made him a key part of the England Test team.

In the three Test cricket series against Sri Lanka in August and September, Shoaib Bashir took 6 wickets, which has been the weakest performance of his career so far.

Shoaib Bashir is also a part of England's Test team in the ongoing Pakistan tour.

Shoaib Bashir has so far taken 32 wickets in 9 Test matches with 3-5 wickets haul.

Shoaib Bashir Family Background

Originating from Woking, Surrey, Bashir attended Fullbrook School and Woking College. His cricketing journey was greatly aided by his uncle, Saj, who is a wicket-keeper batsman for Guildford City Cricket Club. Originally from Pakistan, Bashir practices Islam. At 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), he is noticeably tall for an off-spinner.