‘Start of a journey of hopefully a world-class spinner’ - Rob Key provides insights on Shoaib Bashir's maiden England call-up

Keeping India’s spin-friendly conditions in mind, England have named an additional spinner in the form of Shoaib Bashir for their upcoming five-match tour to the subcontinent. Notably, 20-year-old Bashir jumped to the spotlight after troubling former skipper Alastair Cook in the County Championship in 2023. Following this, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) kept an eye on the potential star, especially when Jack Leach suffered an injury ahead of the Ashes 2023.

Back then, he was not ready for international cricket and as per England’s Director of Cricket, Rob Key, it might take him some time to make his debut. However, they are eager to bring him to India to gain experience, which might help him in the coming years. Key is optimistic that Bashir has the talent and stated that they might even play him against India if required.

“He's going for experience as much as anything else but we won't be afraid to play him if required. This is the start of a journey of hopefully a world-class spinner in the future,” Key told BBC Sports.

Key explains the reason behind dropping Liam Dawson

Other than having a great season with Somerset, where he picked up 10 wickets, Bashir also impressed the selectors during their recent camp in the United Arab Emirates. He replaced Liam Dawson in the squad to India as Key explained that the latter would not play any game in the presence of Jack Leach, and hence, he wasn’t considered for selection.

“He is probably not someone who wants to go around India as the 15th or 16th man. If he's not going to play then I don't think it's high on his agenda to be going as essentially a replacement bowler,” Key said.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad will host the opening Test between India and England on January 25. The Ben Stokes-led side is expected to reach the sub-continent in the second week of January and also play a warm-up game to get adjusted to the conditions.