England are sweating for the fitness of their lone off-spinner, Shoaib Bashir, after he damaged his little finger during the third day of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s. Ravindra Jadeja drilled a shot straight down the ground as Bashir, trying to stop the ball, came before it and got hit on the little finger. It was technically a caught and bowled chance though

Bashir was stuck firmly on the hand as he signaled to the dressing room and rushed to the hut with the injured finger, expecting a dislocation, before Joe Root completed the over. The Ben Stokes-led side was hopeful, at the initial stage, of the bowler being available to bowl in the evening session.

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However, the spinner sat with the substitute fielders and didn’t take the field. He bowled on a practice surface before the start of the fourth day’s play with heavy strapping on the fifth and fourth fingers. He will likely bat only if required badly. The official confirmation has put the home side a little on the back foot as there is a huge importance of the bowler on the uneven surface.

England give a massive injury update on Shoaib Bashir in the ENG vs IND 2025 series

‘Following his left little finger injury, Shoaib Bashir continues to be monitored and is expected to bowl in the fourth innings of this Test. A decision on whether he will bat in the third innings will be made in due course. His involvement in the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford will be assessed at the end of the match.’ The official statement by the England Cricket Board (ECB) was made on the fourth morning.

Bashir has taken nine wickets at nearly 60 in this series, including the wicket of KL Rahul, who drove the spinner lazily on the third day at Lord’s. However, the rest of the wickets have come only by the fielders on the boundary rope. With over a week to go, the spinner will get ample time to recover. If he is not deemed fit to play in Manchester, England will have to find different options.

Liam Dawson or Jack Leach could make a return to the side. Rehan Ahmed could be another option, who will be valuable even with the bat in hand. Jacob Bethell, however, by the head coach, is seen as the spare batter, rather than the number eight.

England—565/6d

Zimbabwe—265 & 255 (f/o)

England confirmed their first victory of the summer by defeating Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, by an innings and 45 runs. The visitors had no match for the hosts, and the one-off Test concluded on Day 3. Shoaib Bashir, with 6 wickets in the second innings and three in the first, received the man of the match award. 

Zimbabwe started Day 3 with an all-attacking approach. Ben Curran and Sean Williams, the combination of young and experience, was top of their strategy to counter attack english bowling attacks until the launch. 38-year-old Williams played some pure copy book shot which warmed the match more. The right hander departed after a well fought 88 and Curran 37. 

After a sunny Day 2, Day 3 was covered with heavy clouds, accompanied by a strong breeze, perfect conditions for seamers. But it was Bashir who drove the momentum of the match towards England. Pacers like Josh Tongue, Sam Cook went for some expensive overs against an attacking Zimbabwe. Assertive approaches from Sikandar Raza (60) and Wesley Madhevere (31) entertained the visitors at the Trent Bridge. 

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A dominating performance ahead of the series against India

Like skipper Ben Stokes, other England players were hungry to grab their first win of the summer. Harry Brook on the second slip took a stunner. Right-handed Madhevere misjudged Stokes' delivery and got a thick edge. The ball was about to travel high over the slip region when Brook jumped at the right time, stretched his body, and grabbed the ball in his right arm safely for an unbelievable catch. 

England won by an innings and 45 runs in the historic Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge

Match Details 👉 https://t.co/cojkDo7BCj#ENGvZIM #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/P2PIc0xWCM

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) May 24, 2025

This authoritative win against Zimbabwe will provide extra mental strength for their upcoming 5-match Test assignment against India, starting from June 20 at the Yorkshire Cricket Ground.

Shoaib Bashir delivered a masterclass in spin bowling during the one-off Test match between England and Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on May 23, 2025.  The young English off-spinner clean bowled Tafadzwa Tsiga with a ball that gripped on the pitch, turned sharply, and sent the off-stump cartwheeling. This was a huge moment, as Zimbabwe already trailed by 314 runs at the time, and the score was 55 for one. Bashir had already shown that he was able to get turn and bounce off a worn pitch and further enclosed England's vice-like grip on the game.

Tafadzwa's Tsiga dismissal, having made 22 off 48 balls, was an important wicket for England. The commentators declared that Bashir's delivery was an 'absolute beauty' as he began to enhance his stature and importance to the side. This wicket came at a key time, especially as Zimbabwe appeared to be stabilizing the innings. Although it was just one wicket, it again demonstrated how Bashir stayed composed having been put under pressure. This was another display that showed he was going to be able to cope with the rigors of first-class international cricket. 

England's Dominant Strategy

England felt confident by bringing in Bashir on the basis that they had conditions that favored spin. The pitch at Trent Bridge was a perfect canvas for his variations of pace and flight to cause problems against the Zimbabwean batsmen. As the match went on, England's bowlers, led by Bashir's inspired performance, continued to apply pressure and push Zimbabwe further and further on the back foot. If nothing else, this approach had allowed them to claim a crucial wicket and was helping England to secure a comprehensive victory by turning the screws on their opponents.

Watch the video here

An absolute beauty from Bashir! 😍 pic.twitter.com/AFzIQkHoDL

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 23, 2025

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For Zimbabwe, Tsiga's dismissal was almost like a warning of what they were up against, with a sideway-moving ball like this in front of him and an opponent that probably valued a win more than they did. Tsiga contributed resiliently; however, as Transfield had noted during the match, the turn and bounce of Bashir's deliveries had proved ultimately too much. Judging by their response to all this, England were set to push on towards a level of comprehensive victory, while Zimbabwe were left to reflect on the lessons that they had learned against this England side. In a match dominated by Bashir's pearls of crafty deliveries, he was able to provide one moment of magic that provided a turning point in proceedings and showcased what he might be able to achieve going forward, while bringing our focus back onto the shades of what awaits Test cricket in the future.

England spinner Shoaib Bashir mimicked his country’s footballer, Cole Palmer, by performing the ‘cold’ celebration after dismissing Alick Athanaze on Day 4 of the 2nd Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge on Sunday, July 21. Shoaib Bashir has “shown the world what he can do” said England captain Ben Stokes.

Star performance by Shoaib Bashir

Shoaib Bashir was the standout performer for England in the second innings, claiming five wickets while conceding just 41 runs with an economy rate of 3.70 in 11.1 overs. His stellar performance helped England secure a commanding victory over the West Indies by 241 runs, clinching an unassailable 2-0 series lead with one match still to play.

Chasing a daunting target of 385 runs after dismissing England for 425, West Indies crumbled under the pressure of England’s formidable bowling attack. They were bowled out for a mere 143 in 36.1 overs. Shoaib Bashir played a pivotal role in this collapse, leaving the West Indies reeling at 82/5 after dismissing Alick Athanaze.

The key dismissal occurred in the 19th over of the West Indies’ run chase when Athanaze attempted to defend a delivery from Bashir. The ball took a sharp edge off Athanaze’s bat and was caught by Joe Root at slip. Overjoyed with his second wicket of the innings, Shoaib Bashir celebrated by rubbing both his arms, imitating Cole Palmer’s signature ‘cold’ celebration.

“I don’t think gratification comes out of an ‘I told you so’ moment or having a point to prove,” Stokes said in the moments after England’s win in Nottingham. “Because the decisions we make are all based around not only how far we think their talent can take them, but also that we think they’re good enough for international cricket straight away.

“This is the worst that they’ll be. And if you think you can identify talent and you can throw them into an international environment and give them the confidence, give them the backing that they’re going to progress really quickly. 

“I don’t want to say it’s an ‘I told you so’ kind of thing, but it sort of is,” he joked.

“Every time we came in for a break [at Lord’s], Baz was going ‘this is Bash if you haven’t met him already,” Stokes said. 

“He showed what he could do in India with conditions in his favour,” Stokes said. “But the pitch this week didn’t really offer much for spin…I think what he’s done today is showed the world what he can do.”

Bashir’s impressive bowling figures

In addition to Athanaze, Bashir dismissed Kirk McKenzie, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, and Shamar Joseph to complete his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His figures of 5/41 are his best bowling figures in a Test innings to date.

In the first innings, Bashir also made significant contributions by picking up two wickets, those of Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie, finishing with figures of 2/108 in 25 overs.

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Shoaib Bashir’s exceptional performance and his celebratory mimicry of Cole Palmer added a memorable touch to England’s dominant victory over the West Indies.

On Friday, July 19, Mark Wood made a dramatic entrance into England’s Test team during the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Wood, who wasn’t part of the squad for the first Test as he was given time to recover from the T20 World Cup, was finally brought into the team for this match. With James Anderson retiring, Wood was added straight into the playing XI. He made an impressive comeback, with every ball of his first over clocking well above 90 mph.

Woakes and Atkinson started the bowling for England, covering the first nine overs before captain Ben Stokes brought Wood in. Though he didn’t take a wicket in his first over, he made a strong impression.

Wood Sets New Record for Fastest Over by an England Bowler

In that over, Wood’s six deliveries were all over 92 mph, including one at 96.5 mph. By the end of the over, he had set a new record for the fastest over by an England bowler at home. But Wood didn’t stop there he went on to bowl an even faster third over, with all deliveries over 93 mph and one reaching 97 mph.

As for the match, the West Indies got off to a solid start with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis putting on 53 runs for the first wicket. Shoaib Bashir broke their stand by dismissing Louis for 21. At the time of writing, the West Indies were 74 for 1 in response to England’s first innings total of 416.

Paras Mhambrey, the Indian bowling coach said on Saturday that the Ranchi pitch did not behave according to the team’s expectations. After the second day’s play in the fourth Test match between India and England, the hosts scored 219/7 in response to England’s first innings total of 353.

Mhambrey on Ranchi Pitch

After Stumps on Day 2, Mhambrey spoke about the conditions in the press conference. “From what we have seen out here, generally, the nature of the pitch is that it gets slower as the game progresses. We expected that. But, to be honest, we didn’t expect it to play that low on the second day itself.” He added,  “A couple of balls did keep low in the first innings itself. We expected it to get slower. But we were not expecting the variable bounce.”

He explained how variable bounce was experienced on the track. He also added that the management did not give any specific instructions to the curator regarding the pitch. “There was variable bounce. But I don’t think there were too many that spun sharply from the wicket. It was the variable bounce, on the lower side, which has made batting difficult. That is the nature of the soil. There were no specific instructions from us [to the curator] that we wanted to play on a rank turner.”

Mhambrey credited Bashir and Hartley

He also mentioned the duo of Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley. Bashir and Hartley took a total of six Indian wickets out of seven that fell today. “I think they bowled well. (They) kept a simple line and length. At this level, you expect your opposition to do that. They kept it simple and picked up wickets for that.”

While speaking of India’s batting performance he said, “What is important is that we have two set batsmen [Dhruv Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav] at the crease. We have a 40+ partnership going. I think they have really applied themselves. The important thing is we get as close as possible to the English total and then we will see tomorrow.”

According to the bowling coach, the hosts have to bat well in the second innings whatever the target is. He also mentioned that the venue conditions cannot be controlled. “What we need to look at is, that we are going to chase. The target will differ but mentally we will have to be ready to chase. We have to bat well in the second innings, whatever the target is. Let’s keep it that simple,” added Mhambrey.

Joe Root expresses confidence in England’s grip on the fourth Test against India, following a dominant second day in Ranchi. His 31st Test century paved the way for a resilient bowling performance, spearheaded by the 19-year-old offspinner Shoaib Bashir.

At the day’s end, India stood at 219 for 7 in their first innings, trailing by 134 runs with only wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel remaining among recognized batters. Root acknowledges the significance of any lead on a pitch already displaying considerable variable bounce.

“We’ve positioned ourselves well at the close of the first innings,” Root remarked. “We’ll monitor the game’s progression. Given the surface’s anticipated deterioration, early wickets tomorrow could firmly place us in control for the remainder of the match.”

Root’s Redemption: A Crucial Century Rescues England

However, Root’s unbeaten 122 off 274 balls is already shaping up to be the standout innings of the match. After rescuing England from a precarious 112 for 5 at lunch on day one, he played a crucial role in adding 51 runs for the final three wickets in the morning session. Root acknowledged that his performance served as a cathartic moment following his struggles for form in the opening three Tests.

“That’s my approach in every game,” he remarked. “I aim to adapt to the conditions and the game’s situation. It was clear what was required in that particular scenario on that surface, and fortunately, it paid off.

“It feels good to contribute this week,” he continued, reflecting on his previous scores of 29 in the six innings at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Rajkot. “It’s been a challenging series for me. So, I was determined to make a meaningful contribution for the team, and I’m glad I could achieve that today. Hopefully, I can maintain this form for the remainder of the series.”

Young Spinners Shine: Root’s Confidence in England’s Future

“The Brilliance of the Young Spinners and England’s Confidence Going Forward”.Root commended the outstanding effort of the team, stating, “The way the guys have operated today was a brilliant effort. I had a great view at first slip, watching them operate. For two young spinners to stand up and perform, it’s really encouraging for English cricket, and for us, for the rest of this series and the rest of this Test match.”

Bashir, initially a relative unknown, was drafted into the squad in December based on his impressive performances for Somerset. Root praised him, saying, “He’s brilliant. He’s a great young lad to have in the group. I’ve not seen much of him, and I might not have known much about him before this series, but he’s got a great character. He’s got a great sense of humour. He takes it all out to the field. And he’s clearly, as you can see, got huge amounts of ability and skill and a lot to offer, especially on a surface like this.”

Root expressed confidence in England’s ability to capitalize on their advantage and level the series at 2-2 going into the fifth Test in Dharamsala. He emphasized the importance of batting with freedom in challenging conditions to set India a formidable target.

SEE ALSO:India Ends Day 2 at 219/7, Trails by 134 Runs against England in Ranchi

England’s spin pair of Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley wreaked havoc on India during the second day of the fourth Test in Ranchi, combining to claim six crucial wickets. Despite England’s earlier dismissal for 353 in their first innings, they maintained pressure by consistently taking wickets, despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s resilient batting for India.

The day began positively for England, as Ollie Robinson aggressively accumulated boundaries, catching India off guard. He partnered effectively with overnight centurion Joe Root, extending their partnership to over 100 runs. Robinson reached a milestone, scoring his maiden fifty in Test cricket, before falling to Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery.

Jadeja continued to dismantle England’s lower order, with Bashir also chipping in with vital breakthroughs. Despite Root’s impressive unbeaten 122, England’s total seemed competitive, especially considering their precarious position at 112/5 on day one. India suffered an early setback when Rohit Sharma departed cheaply, nicking one behind off James Anderson.

Spin Twins Turn the Tide: Bashir and Hartley’s Dominance

While Jaiswal showcased promising form, England’s bowlers maintained pressure, dismissing key Indian batsmen at regular intervals. Bashir’s pivotal wickets in the second session, including Shubman Gill and Jadeja, put India under immense pressure. Although Jaiswal fought valiantly, his dismissal for 73 further dented India’s hopes of a strong reply.

With half the side back in the pavilion and a significant deficit to overcome, India relied on their lower order to stage a comeback. However, England capitalized on their advantage, with Hartley accounting for crucial wickets, including Sarfaraz Khan and R Ashwin. Despite a resilient stand from Kuldeep Yadav and Dhruv Jurel, India faces an uphill task to close the gap on the third day.

In summary, England’s spin duo, supported by disciplined bowling and strategic partnerships, dominated proceedings, placing India in a challenging position as they trail by 134 runs with three wickets in hand.

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Veteran English fast bowler James Anderson marks his return to the England squad for the second Test of the ongoing five-match series against India. Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, the English team has introduced two changes to their playing XI since the previous Test match in Hyderabad.

As Anderson resumes play, he stands on the cusp of a historic milestone, requiring just 10 more wickets to achieve the remarkable feat of 700 wickets in Test cricket. Currently positioned as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history, the seasoned pacer has amassed 690 wickets from 183 matches, maintaining a commendable average of 26.42.

Boasting a respectable record in India, Anderson has claimed 34 wickets in 13 Tests. His pivotal role in England’s Test series victory in India in 2012 is noteworthy. During England’s 2021 tour of India, the 41-year-old contributed significantly with eight wickets, showcasing an impressive average of 15.88.

James Anderson And Shoaib Bashir Named In Playing XI

Mark Wood played as the lone pacer in England’s attack in the Hyderabad Test, considering his express pace. However, Wood struggled to take wickets in both innings of the match. He has been replaced by James Anderson in the bowling attack for the next match.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of the upcoming match due to a knee injury. Leach sustained the injury while fielding during the series opener. Young spinner Shoaib Bashir is set to make his Test debut in Visakhapatnam, replacing Leach in the playing XI.

Shoaib Bashir, with a less-than-impressive average of 67, has secured 10 wickets across six first-class matches, with his best figures standing at 3/67. Despite this, the 20-year-old displays promising batting abilities in the lower order. Following the acquisition of travel clearance to India, Bashir has now joined the England team.

Ben Stokes noted that Shoaib Bashir found great enjoyment in being part of that dressing room

During the pre-match press conference, Ben Stokes conveyed his belief in Bashir’s capability to excel in India. Stokes highlighted that Bashir’s presence in the dressing room during the Hyderabad Test facilitated his adjustment to the team environment.

“He was truly absorbing everything, to be honest, arriving [from the UK] so early and then entering to witness what had transpired. I believe he thoroughly relished being in that dressing room on day four. There are no concerns or reservations for me regarding his time away from the group; coming back to make his debut, it’s not as though he has forgotten how to bowl,” remarked Stokes.

Despite an underwhelming performance in the first Test match, Rehan Ahmed has retained his position in the lineup. Tom Hartley played a pivotal role in England’s Test victory, securing figures of 7 for 62 in the second innings. The English team is set to field with three inexperienced spinners.

The second Test match is scheduled to take place at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, commencing on Friday, February 2nd.

England’s Second Test Playing XI against India includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, and James Anderson.

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Young right-arm off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has recently joined the England national team in Hyderabad during the fourth day of the opening match of a 5-match Test series against India. Unfortunately, Bashir faced delays in obtaining his Indian visa, which resulted in him missing the initial phase of the series along with his English teammates and coaching staff.

Due to visa-related issues, Bashir had to wait in Abu Dhabi for an extended period, accompanied by an official from the English contingent. Head coach Brendon McCullum assured the media that BCCI was actively collaborating with the Indian government to resolve the visa matter. Despite these assurances, the delay persisted, causing frustration for Bashir, who was unable to join the team in India and had to return to England.

Expressing disappointment, England captain Ben Stokes shared his concerns about the situation, stating, “When I first heard the news in Abu Dhabi, I did suggest that we shouldn’t fly until Bash gets his visa. But that was a bit tongue-in-cheek. I know it’s a much bigger issue than that. I’m truly saddened that Bash has had to endure this.”

Furthermore, a British government official criticized the Indian government, alleging unfair treatment of English citizens with Pakistani heritage during the visa application process. The official emphasized the expectation that India treats all British citizens fairly and highlighted previous concerns raised with the Indian High Commission in London regarding the visa experiences of individuals with Pakistani roots.

It’s important to highlight that leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, one of the three recognized spinners in the England playing XI for the 1st Test, also hails from Pakistan. If there were any biases against Pakistan-based players, the Indian government would likely have rejected Rehan’s visa application as well.

Nevertheless, Shoaib Bashir successfully joined the team at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on day 4. England is currently on the field, defending a total of 231, primarily built on the outstanding performance of number 3 batter Ollie Pope. Pope’s remarkable 278-ball innings yielded 196 runs, preventing England from collapsing to a total below 200 and making the task much more challenging for the Indian contingent.

Shoaib Bashir as a Potential Starter in Vishakhapatnam Amid Jack Leach’s Second Test

England attracted attention by including only one pacer, Mark Wood, in the starting XI for the 1st Test, opting for him over James Anderson. Spin duties were entrusted to Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed, and Tom Hartley, with additional support from Joe Root as a part-time spinner.

Unfortunately, in the 4th innings, Jack Leach’s bowling has been restricted due to swelling on his thighs. His participation in the 2nd Test is now uncertain, potentially paving the way for Shoaib Bashir to make a starting appearance in Vishakhapatnam.

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