Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
As the first Test between England and India heads towards a gripping finale, one of the key talking points has been the output of Shoaib Bashir. The offspinner struggled for both control and wicket-taking threat in both innings, despite the Headingley surface being a good one for batting.
Bashir took combined figures of 3/190 off 49 overs, with his three scalps all caught in the deep. India were largely able to sit and wait for deliveries they could put away for runs, pointing to Bashir’s inexperience and required improvement in terms of landing the ball in the right areas more often.
Bashir’s performance led to debates on social media. On one hand, the offspinner is just 21 years of age and the youngest England bowler to reach 50 Test wickets. The contrary argument is he needs more time in First Class cricket to hone in on his skills, including variations of pace and completing his action better to ensure greater consistency.
Fans debate on whether Shoaib Bashir should be England’s number one Test spinner at this stage
Concerns around Shoaib Bashir’s current status as England’s #1 spinner
Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their views on Bashir. Some of the views are harsh as the potential is there, especially when he can get the ball to dip using his height. However, there is work to be done in terms of contributing more for the bowling attack, whether he is required to contain or attack.
Support for Shoaib Bashir
One fan wrote that Bashir shouldn’t be judged just on this match, given India play spin well.
“People Bashing Bash because India are playing spin well on a pitch helping the spinner with next to nothing, is a wild kneejerk. Indians tend to play spin well folks,” wrote Tony Steele on X.
England’s fast bowlers dismantled India’s lower order for the second time in the match to set up a fascinating final day. When KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were going strong, India had a 400+ lead in their sight. Instead, they finished with 370, and England will start day five on 21/0 needing a further 350 to win.
