Shoaib Bashir celebrating a wicket on Day 2 [Source: @Cric_records45/x]
Shoaib Bashir struck early for England in his opening spell against Zimbabwe on Day 2 of the one-off Test match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. After Zimbabwe raced to 96-1 in 20 overs, the 21-year-old cricketer picked up the prized scalp of visiting captain and well-set batter Craig Ervine for 42.
Sending down a flighted delivery towards middle and leg stump, Bashir trapped Ervine with an outside edge, with Harry Brook claiming a sharp catch at first slip. Nonetheless, the youngster attained a huge English milestone through the course of his breakthrough.
Shoaib Bashir breaks Steven Finn’s record
Shoaib Bashir, who made his Test debut back in February 2024 during England’s away series against India, completed 50 wickets in his career by picking up the prized-scalp of Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine in May 2025.
Attaining the feat in just the 16th Test of his career, Bashir reached the milestone figure at the age of just 21 years and 222 days, thus becoming the youngest English cricketer in history to complete 50 Test wickets.
Shoaib Bashir broke the previous record held by English paceman Steven Finn, who completed 50 Test wickets back in June 2011 at an age of 22 years and 62 days.
Bashir’s current Test tally stands at 50 wickets from 26 innings spanning 16 matches at a bowling average of 39.92, picking up three five-wicket hauls in the process.
ENG vs ZIM 1st Test updates
England declared their first innings at 565-6d earlier on Day 2, with each of their top three batters, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope smacking centuries. The hosts faced just 96.3 overs in the innings and maintained a belligerent run rate of 5.85.
In response, the visiting Zimbabwean team reached 165-3 at the end of their first 30 overs.