ENG vs ZIM 2025, Only Test, Day 3 Review: Shoaib Bashir's spin web guides England to innings victory over Zimbabwe

England began their 2025 home summer  brilliantly, defeating Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs in the one-off Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The star performer of the Test match was young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, whose six-wicket haul in the second innings guided the hosts to a clinical win.

Zimbabwe resumed Day 3 on 30 for 2, trailing 270 runs from England’s huge 565/6 d first innings total, constructed by centuries from Ollie Pope (171), Ben Duckett (140), and Zak Crawley (124). The visitors required a solid batting effort to make England bat again, and veteran Sean Williams briefly gave some hope as he reached a 42-ball half-century. 

Along with Ben Curran, the pair added 122 runs for the third wicket in the morning session. Williams looked comfortable in tackling England’s seamers while Curran came up with a 37 off 104 balls. Despite a couple of missed chances, Curran finally walked back post-lunch. Williams, who had survived an LBW appeal just before the break via DRS, also departed at 88 as he was trapped in front by Bashir.

Later, Sikandar Raza and Wessly Madhevere formed a 65-run stand but England's captain Ben Stokes returned to the attack and broke the partnership as he got Madhevere to edge a short ball, which Harry Brook caught at second slip.

Meanwhile, Raza reached his 10th Test half-century but perished while attempting a slog-sweep against Bashir. The final nail was hammered when Bashir trapped Tanaka Chivanga plumb in front and handed England a comfortable win.

Notably, Zimbabwe's No.11 Richard Ngarava did not bat due to a back injury. The off-spinner ended with figures of 6 for 81, his fourth five-wicket haul in just 16 Tests, and match figures of 9 for 143.