Shoaib Bashir signs professional contract with Somerset
Andy Hurry is looking forward to having Bashir on board (PC- Twitter)
Young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has been roped in by Somerset for the next season after two impressive outings for the second-string XI in September this year.
The Somerset County Cricket Club on Friday (October 7) announced that the teenage spin sensation has signed his first professional contract which will enable him to turn up for the club next year in the 2023 season.
Shoaib's promotion to the senior team comes on the back of the two games in which he featured for Somerset in the Second XI County Championship this season. In the two games, he took nine wickets at a staggering average of just 14.11 with a best of 5 for 44 against Warwickshire.
In his debut against Surrey, Shoaib scalped 3 for 51 in a rain-affected game that ended in a draw. He followed that up with a second-innings five-for against Warwickshire at Taunton. He followed that up with figures of 6 for 76 - including a second-innings five-for - against Warwickshire at Taunton.
Shoaib first came to the limelight after taking 5 for 19 in the Royal London National County T20 competition semi-final.
Before playing his part with the senior team next year, Bashir will be playing club cricket in Australia this winter to continue his development as a player.
"I'm delighted to have signed my first contract and I'm really looking forward to the season ahead. It means a lot because I've been working really hard for this. I've been playing cricket since I was seven years old and it's always been my dream to be a professional cricketer, so to sign a professional contract really is a dream come true. I'll be working hard to develop and improve all aspects of my game, and being around a professional environment will definitely motivate me to work harder than ever to make sure that I can perform to the best of my ability," said Shoaib Bashir.
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