How a WhatsApp FORWARD helped England’s Shoaib Bashir earn maiden Test call-up despite poor First Class record

Shoaib Bashir had taken 10 First Class wickets before his Test debut, with an average of 67.

How a WhatsApp FORWARD helped England’s Shoaib Bashir earn maiden Test call-up despite poor First Class record

Shoaib Bashir celebrates his maiden Test wicket (Image via ESPN)

Shoaib Bashir made his First Class debut against Essex for Somerset on June 11th, 2023. Before that, the 20-year old was a part of the youth set-up of Surrey but was released. After a successful spell with Berkshire, a minor county, he was called for tryouts for Somerset. Impressing them, he was given a one-year contract. 

In his first over of First Class cricket, he was up against English cricket legend, Alastair Cook. In that over, he beat the former England captain twice and Somerset uploaded the clip of those two deliveries. He ended that match with only one wicket and in his next five matches he got only nine wickets. By the end of the season, Bashir had a First Class average of 67. 

YouTube video

Despite such poor stats, the England team had called him up to the Test team for their tour of India. While many were shocked how the rookie got a Test call up despite the poor stats, Ben Stokes revealed that he was selected due to the video uploaded by Somerset. 

Stokes told ESPNcricinfo that he was impressed by the video uploaded by Somerset and forwarded it to a WhatsApp which had coach Brendon McCullum and director Rob Key. He informed them that he could be someone useful for the India tour. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, the England team held a camp in UAE to search for a new spinner where, Bashir impressed and was given a call up. 

I'm in a WhatsApp group with Keysy and Baz. I actually did forward the clip on and said, 'Have a look at this, this could be something we could work with on our India tour' and it just progressed from there. He got selected on the Lions tour and obviously, the coaches on that tour fed back everything to us.
Ben Stokes on Shoaib Bashir

The 20-year old impressed on his India debut, picking up two wickets. He got the wickets of Indian captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Axar Patel. 

Yashashvi Jaiswal closes to maiden double century as both teams end day in good positions 

Electing to bat first, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave a good start, with a partnership of 40. Unfortunately, the Indian captain lost his wicket to debutant Shoaib Bashir in the 18th over. Shubman Gill finally looked comfortable, playing well against spin, but at the end lost his wicket to James Anderson. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrated his century by doing the celebration of Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham (Image via ESPN)

Shreyas Iyer’s woes continued as he departed for 27 after a brilliant low catch by keeper Ben Foakes. Meanwhile Jaiswal completed his 2nd Test century, with a 90% control in the innings. Rajat Patidar scored a valiant 32 but was bowled by Rehan Ahmed as his top spin caused an inside edge to hit the stumps. 

Axar Patel was given a promotion, being sent to number 6, but got out to Bashir as he cut the ball into the hands of point. KS Bharat was dismissed the same way, just two overs before the end of the day. Jaiswal and R. Ashwin will step in to bat for India on the 2nd day, with India putting 336/6 on the board. Jaiswal is just 21 runs away from a double century. 

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