- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
SOMERSET off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is yet to play international cricket, has been picked for the England squad for the upcoming five-Test series in India starting in January.
The 20-year-old Surrey-born cricketer has made his debut in first class, List A and T20 matches early this year and has played less than 10 matches each in the three formats.
Besides Bashir, Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson and Lancashire left-arm spinner Tom Hartley have also been given a call for the red-ball series. The duo have represented England in the white-ball formats though.
The first Test begins in Hyderabad on January 25.
Among others who featured in the squad led by Ben Stokes are batter and vice-captain Ollie Pope and left-arm spinner Jack Leach, both of whom made a comeback after injuries.
Stokes, who took part in the 50-over World Cup held in India recently, will play only as a batter. He underwent a knee surgery after the conclusion of the Three Lions’ disappointing campaign at the marquee tournament.
“His (Stokes) surgery has been a success, we are expecting him to be fit but we are not expecting him to be able to bowl,” Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
“We never had him down to be bowling in India. This is part of an ongoing process in terms of getting him back to bowling.”
Key spoke highly about Bashir saying the youngster is ‘very raw” but “his ceiling is really high”.
Bashir captured 10 wickets in his six first-class outings since making debut in June and was a part of Somerset’s successful campaign in T20 Blast. He was then called up to the England Lions squad for a training camp in the UAE in November and December.
India, the number one ranked side in Tests, are currently touring South Africa for series in both white and red ball cricket.
England drew their last series 2-2 against India at home in 2021-22, but have not won a Test series in the South Asian country since 2012-13.
England Test squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.
