Jack Leach, England's left-arm spinner, thought his international career might have come to an end after being dropped from the team during the home summer. The 33-year-old was replaced by Shoaib Bashir but has since made a comeback for the series in Pakistan, joining forces with his Somerset teammate in a spin partnership.
Going into the series decider in Rawalpindi, Leach leads all bowlers with 14 wickets. He shared with BBC Sport that after a lengthy injury absence, he feared his time in the England setup might be over, despite knowing the Pakistan tour awaited on the other side of the summer. Leach explained that his main focus became rediscovering his form and enjoying cricket while staying injury-free.
Earlier this year, Leach lost his spot after suffering a leg injury during the India tour, which allowed Bashir to make his international debut. Leach was injured in the first Test and missed the remainder of the series. This came on the heels of his return after missing the 2023 home Ashes due to a stress fracture in his back.
Leach acknowledged that injuries can open the door for others to shine, noting that Bashir performed well in his absence. He admitted that much of the situation didn't require explanation—he knew he simply needed to focus on regaining fitness, taking wickets, and rebuilding his confidence. That’s exactly what he worked on.
Now, attention is on both Leach and Bashir as they are likely to be key figures in the final Test, alongside leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who may also feature in England's playing XI.
In the second Test, Pakistan levelled the series by preparing a recycled pitch that favoured their spinners, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who took all 20 wickets. Pakistan captain Shan Masood has indicated that he wants another turning pitch in Rawalpindi, and pictures circulated online showing efforts to dry the surface with industrial fans and heaters. By Monday, the heaters had been removed, but the fans remained.
Leach shared that he hadn’t yet seen the pitch but would assess it during Tuesday’s training. However, he noted that his approach wouldn’t change much, regardless of the conditions.
Bashir, at just 21 years old, is set to play his 12th Test this week, more than the number of first-class matches he has played. With 38 wickets for England, including three five-wicket hauls, Bashir remains Somerset’s second-choice spinner behind Leach.
Leach spoke highly of his younger teammate, praising Bashir’s immense talent and potential. He mentioned their strong relationship and expressed excitement for Bashir’s future in English cricket. As for next year, Leach is open to any changes, knowing that selection is beyond his control. All he wants is to give his best for whichever team picks him, whether it’s Somerset or England.