The rumour hasn't yet been confirmed whether England’s cricket team celebrated their thrilling victory at Trent Bridge with a visit to Mega Munch on Sunday night. Located near Nottingham's bustling market square, the takeaway gained fame two years ago as the site of Ollie Pope’s first doner kebab following the birth of the "Bazball" era.
Much has changed since then. Out of the XI that triumphed over New Zealand in that memorable chase of 299 runs, only four players—Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley, and Joe Root—were part of the squad that secured a 241-run victory against the West Indies, marking England's first Test series win since Pakistan in late 2022. Matthew Potts remains in the squad, but Jonny Bairstow, Alex Lees, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, and Jimmy Anderson have moved on. This turnover underscores the dynamic nature of the team.
The introduction of 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir is particularly intriguing. While Jamie Smith is Surrey's first-choice wicketkeeper, Bashir, who plays for Somerset, is not their preferred red-ball option, largely due to Jack Leach's seniority this season. Bashir's County Championship record stands at 16 wickets with an average of 70 runs each.
Despite initial scepticism, Bashir’s performance in India, where he bowled 169 overs and took 17 commendable wickets, proved his potential. His five-wicket haul for 41 runs against the West Indies on Sunday demonstrated his capability, with Bashir humorously remarking that he might have inspired Cole Palmer’s celebratory shiver.
Bashir noted that his height of 6 feet 4 inches allows him to generate good bounce and natural variation, reminiscent of Moeen Ali’s effective off-spin. His delivery that bowled Jason Holder was particularly impressive, highlighting his skill and strategic bowling changes.
Bashir's composure, especially during challenging times like the visa issues at the start of the India tour, and his resilience after being overlooked at Lord's, reveal his maturity. He attributes his grounded approach to his faith, stating that it helps him stay humble and enjoy every moment in an England shirt.
These qualities were decisive in his selection over Leach's left-arm spin. With England's focus on the next Ashes series, Bashir’s off-spin could be more effective in Australia, where left-arm spinners have historically struggled. Not since Bert Ironmonger’s pre-war era has an Australian left-arm spinner dominated on home pitches.
While Rehan Ahmed is highly regarded, and some believe Mason Crane should not be discounted, the selection of a leg-spinner for home games was always complicated. This led to the need for an off-spinner who could generate bounce, making Bashir an attractive prospect. Ben Stokes first noticed Bashir through a social media clip, but the decision to include him goes beyond a few impressive deliveries to Alastair Cook.
The key question now is whether Bashir, still developing and not known for his batting, can be honed in the next 18 months before the Ashes in Australia. With two home summers and winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand ahead, the potential is there.
Jeetan Patel, a former off-spinner and now a coach, encouraged Bashir to showcase his skills, while Stokes, an empathetic captain, provided a supportive environment. Although early in his career, Bashir’s start has been promising, suggesting a bright future for England’s cricket team.