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Two-year extension for Shoaib Bashir
Somerset off spinner, Shoaib Bashir has signed a two-year contract extension which will see him remain at the Cooper Associates County Ground until at least the end of the 2025 cricket season.
The 19-year-old signed his first contract for the Club ahead of the 2023 campaign and his performances for the Second XI this summer have seen Somerset extend his stay by a further two years.
He first came to the attention of the Club when he played for Berkshire against Somerset Second XI last summer when he took five wickets in the game. He was then given the opportunity to feature for the Seconds and claimed nine wickets in two Second XI Championship matches at an average of just 14.11 with a best of five for 44 against Warwickshire.
After signing his new contract, Shoaib Bashir said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have signed this extension with the Club. I’ve been working hard, and I’ve got really good mentors in Jack Leach and Roelof van der Merwe.
“It’s been a good start to my first season, and I’ve already learned a lot. I’m working hard on getting stronger and fitter. I’m going to be taking things one step at a time, but the goal is obviously to break into the First Team.
“I always dreamt about being a professional cricketer, so the key is to keep working hard so that I can maintain that dream.”
Somerset CCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry has been impressed by the young spinner since his arrival at the Club.
“Shoaib has a huge amount of potential and we have all been really impressed with his attitude, work ethic and determination to give himself the best chance of reaching that full potential,” he said. “He has fitted seamlessly into the environment and is an extremely popular member of the dressing room.
“His performances for the Second XI have been excellent this year and he has shown that he has the ability to deceive batters, control the game and take wickets on a variety of surfaces. He is an exciting talent, and we are all immensely excited to continue to work with him in developing his all-round game and to watch his progression over the next two years and beyond.”
