Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has praised young spinner Shoaib Bashir for his match-winning performances in the second Test match against the West Indies. Mark Butcher claimed that Shoaib Bashir has the control and variety, and described him as “the real talent” for the England national cricket team.
Shoaib Bashir had a standout performance in the second Test against the West Indies. The off-spinner took two wickets in the first innings and five wickets in the second. His brilliant performance led to a collapse as the tourists went from 61-0 to 143 all out. England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
West Indies took a 41-run lead in the first innings as they scored 457 runs in reply to England’s 416. However, the England team put up a good batting performance with centuries from middle-order batsmen Harry Brook and Joe Root. The home team set a target of 385 by scoring 425 in their second innings.
Shoaib Bashir is a real man – Mark Butcher
Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast on Monday, Mark Butcher said Shoaib Bashir showed strong control and variety on a flat pitch, despite some early inconsistency.
“I think so, I think it is. [the real deal]”I think you could see it even in the first innings, towards the end, when the ball was flying a bit more. He lost a bit of consistency, dragged a few balls down, but I think there was enough of a display,” Butcher said.
“When the pitch was completely flat and not spinning at all, he had the control and the variety in terms of flight and everything necessary to be a very good bowler,” he added.
It also has a brilliant captain – Mark Butcher
Former England batsman said Shoaib Bashir has a brilliant captain in Ben Stokes. Butcher highlighted that Stokes sets effective passes, which helps Bashir bowl impactful deliveries without being scored on easily.
“He’s also got a brilliant captain to work with in Ben Stokes. I think he’s a very understanding captain, but he also understands how to allow you to bowl good balls that don’t go for 1, and the batsmen can’t just sit there and squeeze you and make you feel like you’re not having any effect at all,” Butcher said.
Shoaib Bashir made his Test debut for England in difficult conditions in India. The off-spinner took 17 wickets in three matches, including two five-wicket hauls during his first series. He was chosen in place of Jack Leach as the first-choice bowler in Tests, but did not play in the first Test against the West Indies.
The third Test match between England and West Indies will begin on Friday, July 26 in Birmingham. England have not changed their squad for the final match. The hosts have the chance to complete an unbeaten sweep in this final match.
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