ENG vs ZIM, One-Off Test: Shoaib Bashir's 9-wicket haul helps England bulldoze Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs in perfect dress rehearsal for India series

Ben Stokes-led England comprehensively defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs in their one-off Test match at Trent Bridge on Saturday, May 24.

Shoaib Bashir's sizzling nine-fer annihilates Zimbabwe in one-off Test

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was the star performer, claiming a Test-best 6/81 as Zimbabwe, following on, were dismissed for 255 on the third day. This match marked Zimbabwe's first Test appearance in England in 22 years. Bashir's exceptional performance, which included a second five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge, following his 5-70 against West Indies last year, gave him impressive match figures of 9/143. Despite resistance from Sean Williams (88) and a brisk 60 from Sikandar Raza, Bashir proved too much for the visitors.

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England's victory was built on a dominant first-innings total of 565/6 declared, with centuries from their top three, Zak Crawley (124 off 171), Ben Duckett (140 off 134), and Ollie Pope (171 off 166). Although Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett scored the fastest Test hundred for his country (off 97 balls), they were still bowled out for 265 in their first innings.

England captain Ben Stokes also made a successful return, taking two wickets in his first match of the year. Bashir, who had an indifferent county season with two First-Class wickets costing an average of 152 apiece, found his form with 3-62 in the first innings. Bashir was adjudged the Player of the Match for his bowling wizardry.

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The thumping win provides England with the ideal preparation for their challenging five-match home series against India, which kicks off on June 20. The upcoming series against India will see a shift in the Indian team's leadership and composition. Earlier today, Shubman Gill was named the new captain of India's Test side, taking over from Rohit Sharma after the batting maestro's retirement from the longest format. Rishabh Pant will serve as Shubman Gill's deputy in the five-match outing against England, while Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran have both received their maiden Test call-ups, indicating a new era for Indian Test cricket.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will return to Test action with a two-match home series against South Africa in June and July.