Shoaib Bashir Set For England Debut After Visa Row? Jack Leach's Injury Boosts Youngsters Hopes

Young England spinner couldn't be a part of the team for the first Test against India in Hyderabad, owing to a visa problem. After the United Kingdom government intervened, Bashir's visa problem was cleared, paving the way for the young spinner to fly to India. Though England won the opening Test impressively, Bashir could be all set for his Test debut in the second Test of the series at Vizag. An injury to England spinner Jack Leach has made his participation in the second Test a doubt, making Bashir the biggest candidate to replace him.

England batter Zak Crawley confirmed that Leach is looking to prove his fitness in time for the second Test but it isn't yet 100 percent known whether he will be able to make it to the playing XI or not. 

"He's a great kid," said Crawley on BBC. "He's got a lot about him. He knows what he is trying to do with his bowling and he backs himself. I like that and feel like if he got his chance in this series he would go well."
Speaking of Bshir, Crawley had plenty of praise for the youngster, backing him to do well if selected in the team.

"He's a great kid," said Crawley. "He's got a lot about him. He knows what he is trying to do with his bowling and he backs himself. I like that and feel like if he got his chance in this series he would go well."

Bashir was in contention for selection in the first Test as well but the visa problem saw him fail to be available for selection. England coach Brendon McCullum has already confirmed that he is contemplating playing 4 spinners in the second Test at Vizag.

After India's loss in the series opener, the focus will be on the Visakhapatnam pitch which is expected to offer plenty of turn to spinners. If not from Day 1, the pitch is definitely going to spin a lot from Day 2.

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team England Cricket Team Shoaib Bashir Jack Leach Zak Crawley India vs England, 2024 Cricket