Shoaib Bashir, the promising England off-spinner, has expressed his willingness to leave Somerset once his contract expires at the end of the current season. He does it not necessarily because he’s a great fella — he’s primarily motivated by his desire to play more county cricket. He thinks this experience is invaluable for his growth as a player.
In 2023, Bashir signed a two-year contract with Somerset. Even with few chances, he’s gone through a meteoric career ascendance. He went to school in Kingston and played age-group cricket for Surrey. Since making Somerset his home, he has recently had a successful spell with the England national team. In just six first-class matches, he secured a place on England’s tour to India in 2024, illustrating his rapid ascent in the sport.
Bashir made a significant impression earlier this season while on loan at Glamorgan. He appeared as a player in three County Championship matches. He briefly played for Worcestershire the following season, appearing in one match. His standout performance turned heads all around. In September, he was named man of the match in a special Test against Zimbabwe, in which he completed his best-ever match figures of 9-143. This feat saw him become the youngest ever England player to reach 50 Test wickets. It further established his case as the first-choice spinner for Ben Stokes’ Test team going forward.
Even with his track record and success internationally, Bashir has found himself behind Jack Leach in the pecking order at Taunton. This predicament has led him to look for other possibilities. He hopes to earn as much regular playing time and experience in county cricket as possible as he knows that is a vital aspect of his ongoing development. While the fight over who will win Bashir’s signature continues, sources tell us that Surrey is looking increasingly unlikely to win. That leaves the door open for other clubs to pounce.
As the season progresses and with Somerset’s contract nearing its conclusion, Bashir’s decision will hinge on the opportunities available to him. He aims to balance his ambitions of representing England while ensuring he secures more game time at the county level.
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