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Shoaib Bashir’s incredible year
2024 was a remarkable year for Shoaib Bashir.
After making a belated Test debut for England in February following visa issues, the 21-year-old went on to be the third leading wicket taker in Test match cricket in 2024 at the time of writing.
He also bowled more Test overs (524.3) than any other bowler across the year.
It’s been a whirlwind rise for the Somerset spinner who signed his first contract for the Club ahead of the 2023 campaign.
He first came to the attention of Somerset when he played for Berkshire against Somerset Under 18s in 2022 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.
Shoaib made his Somerset debut in June 2023 in a Vitality Blast match at Hampshire and has gone on to feature in a total of 23 matches for the County across the three formats of the game, claiming 21 wickets.
However, it is in Test match cricket that he has excelled and become England’s first choice spinner.
In 15 Test matches he has taken 49 wickets at an average of 40.16 with a best of five for 41.
Almost one year to the day, we spoke to Shoaib about his maiden call up to the England squad.
Here is what he had to say back then:
