Shoaib Bashir responds strongly to Nathan Lyon’s ‘Okay’ comment ahead of Ashes 2025

England's young spinner Shoaib Bashir has reacted to Nathan Lyon's comments, where the Australian great rated Jack Leach as England's best spinner and referred to Bashir's performances as "okay." Bashir didn't seem to mind the comment and said everyone has opinions, which aren't something he worries about, and praised Lyon's skillset, as Lyon has a masterful sense of overspin and is able to create a lot of sharp revolutions on the ball and this is why he has had success as one of the most successful spinners in modern-day cricket.

However, we know that Bashir is a calm and happy guy, but it looks like he is motivated to prove a point after Lyon's comments, and he could get the opportunity to do so in The Ashes 2025. The 21-year-old may be out for the foreseeable future, as his finger injury and subsequent surgery following the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy have kept him sidelined from competitive cricket, but when fit, Bashir is expected to fill a key role in England's spin department, and will likely be even more determined to shut up people and perform well in Australian conditions.

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“Everyone has their own opinions, and that’s fine. I just stick to what I believe and what the people around me believe. I don’t really look at that stuff. I do enjoy the way he bowls, especially his overspin, it’s a great asset he has, and the amount of revs he puts on the ball,” Bashir in an interaction.

England have chosen Shoaib Bashir as their lead spinner in Tests

England have several spin options in Jack Leach and Liam Dawson, yet the selectors have shown faith in Shoaib Bashir, who has impressed in a short career. His height and high-arm release give him an edge, producing bounce and overspin—qualities England believe will be crucial in Australian conditions. Much like Nathan Lyon, Bashir extracts sharp bounce after pitching, a trait that could make him highly effective on the bouncy tracks Down Under. This potential has convinced the management to groom him as their lead spinner.

However, Bashir still has areas to refine, especially in maintaining control. He often bowls loose deliveries, making it difficult to string together consistently tight overs in the longest format. Despite this, England view him as a long-term investment who already has the natural attributes to succeed. If he can overcome his control issues, Bashir has the potential to evolve into a complete spinner capable of making a significant impact in The Ashes 2025 and beyond.