In the ongoing second Test of the five-match series, England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir made his Test debut. He was meant to play in the first Test if not for the visa delay. Meanwhile, it took only a few overs before he took the wicket of India skipper Rohit Sharma. The India skipper was guilty of playing the leg-side ball casually and getting caught at the leg slip.
None other than Ollie Pope, who was the Hero of the last Test, was standing the leg slip. Meanwhile, at the end of Day Two, Bashir took one more wicket in the form of Axar Patel. Despite having a mixed day with the ball, the Pakistan-origin spinner was happy to pick the wicket of the two-time World Event winner for India
“If you were to tell me that two years ago, I would laugh,” Bashir told talkSPORT.
“It was a very special moment receiving my Test cap, and for me to get Rohit Sharma as my first wicket was very, very special.
Bashir added that Sharma is a great player of spin and thanked his family for the support.
“He’s a great player of spin as well. I’m just so grateful to God and my family. They’ve supported me through thick and thin. I had a lot of ups and downs in my journey, so I just want to thank them as well.”
I had some trouble with the visa but always knew I would get it: Shoaib Bashir
The right-arm spinner also spoke about the visa issues that he faced as he was looking to get it approved from the UAE.
“I always knew I’d get the visa,” Bashir said. “I did have a few troubles with it, but look, we’re here now, and I got to make my debut, and it’s such a special day. It makes it more memorable, yeah. I had a bit of trouble, bit of hassle with it but to come out to India now and make my Test debut is unbelievable.”
