'Bashir Comes Into...': England's McCullum Hints At All-Spin Attack For Vizag Test
Shoaib Bashir joined England squad after his visa issues were resolved
England's Test coach, Brendon McCullum has lauded the abilities of young spinner Shoaib Bashir, highlighting his potential role in an all-spin attack for the team's ongoing tour in India.
The England team commenced their tour with a magnificent 28-run comeback victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Bashir, who holds British citizenship and is of Pakistan origin, faced visa complications that prevented him from joining the team for the first Test.
McCullum opens up on Bashir's arrival and England's spin strategy
Fortunately, Bashir's visa issues have been resolved, and he has arrived in India ahead of the second Test in Vizag. While speaking to SEN Radio, McCullum commended Bashir for integrating well into the team and remarked on the spinner's impressive skills, especially suitable for the Indian pitches.
The 20-year-old spinner had previously made a mark in the England Lions' training camp in November, earning his selection for the five-match Test series in India.
“Bashir was with us in our camp in Abu Dhabi. He fitted seamlessly into the group. He impressed with his skillset. He is a guy who has immense amount of enthusiasm, albeit at a pretty young age and pretty limited in his first-class experience. Again, like Tom Hartley, he is someone whom we looked at and thought his skillsets could assist us in conditions in India,” said McCullum.
McCullum further noted that despite Bashir's limited experience in first-class cricket, his enthusiasm and talent were evident during the team's camp in Abu Dhabi. He also mentioned that Bashir's arrival was warmly received by the team, who gave him a standing ovation.
“The visa thing, sometimes these things can happen. Everyone was doing everything to ensure that he turned out at the perfect time. When he arrived, he got a standing ovation and he got to witness something special, watched our spinners bowl us to a fantastic win,” added the former Kiwi cricketer.
McCullum further expressed confidence in Bashir's abilities and indicated that he is a strong contender for participation in the upcoming Test match.
His appreciation for Bashir extended beyond his cricketing skills, as he also praised the young spinner's infectious personality and positive influence within the team.
“He comes into the calculations for the next Test match. If the wickets continue to spin as much as what we saw in the first Test, as the series goes on, we won’t be afraid to play all spinners or the combination that we played with in Hyderabad. He is a great kid. He has got an infectious personality,” concluded McCullum.
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