- Ben Stokes was hugely impressed with the performance of Shoaib Bashir
- Bashir took a career-best six for 81 to help dismiss Zimbabwe for 255
Ben Stokes believes the sky is the limit for ‘special talent’ Shoaib Bashir after his man-of-the-match performance at Trent Bridge.
The 21-year-old took a career-best six for 81 to help dismiss Zimbabwe for 255 in their second innings as England wrapped up victory by an innings and 45 runs inside three days.
Bashir, who took nine wickets in the match, is the youngest bowler to pick up a six-for for England since Fred Trueman in 1952, as well as being the youngest Englishman to collect 50 Test wickets.
And Stokes hailed the character of his spinner, who has taken just two wickets in three county matches this season, having had to go on loan to Glamorgan from Somerset to get a game.
‘To walk away with nine wickets in a Test match after not having loads of opportunity to play this year, it is exceptional,’ said the England captain.
‘It just proves how comfortable he feels in this group. He is going from strength to strength. Everything is going upwards for him.
Ben Stokes was full of praise for Shoaib Bashir after the 21-year-old’s superb display
21-year-old Bashir took a career-best six for 81 to help dismiss Zimbabwe for 255
‘He has got unbelievable natural ability, but he also wants to constantly get better, which is very, very exciting. It’s impossible for him not to get even better. We know we have a very, very special talent.’
Bashir made his Test debut in India in February 2024 having only played six first-class matches, after Stokes first spotted him on X bowling for Somerset.
‘It’s scary to think about the start to his career that he has had, considering what he had experience-wise before he made his Test debut,’ said Stokes.
‘I know it’s an odd story to look at. But if he keeps putting in performances like he has done this week, hopefully one day it will properly make sense to everyone why we pick him.’
Stokes also praised the performance of under-pressure Ollie Pope, who struck 171 as he battles to keep his No3 spot for the India series, when Jacob Bethell will be back available.
‘He is an important part of this team, not just his runs, but as my vice-captain,’ added Stokes. ‘He has been incredible at No3. He knows how much I value him.’
Stokes claimed Harry Brook’s wonder catch was even better than his own at Trent Bridge 10 years ago.
In the 2015 Ashes, Stokes produced a stunning one-handed grab at gully to remove Adam Voges off the bowling of a dumbfounded Stuart Broad, who famously celebrated with his hands over his mouth.
Stokes stated that Harry Brook’s wonder catch was even better than his own ten years ago
Against Zimbabwe Stoke was left open-mouthed as Brook made a flying catch
But against Zimbabwe, it was bowler Stokes who was left open-mouthed as Brook made a flying catch at second slip to dismiss Wesley Madhevere.
Asked which catch was better, the England captain said: ‘Wow, that I think. That was exceptional.
‘I had the best view in the house for it. It was a seriously, seriously impressive catch.’
‘I spoke briefly to Broady after the game, and he was like, “It was exactly the same feeling”.
‘He thought it was going for four and I caught it, then I thought it was going for four and Brooky’s hand came out of nowhere and he latched on to it.’
