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Young England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir shared that he ignored a missed call from a New Zealand dialling code number a few days earlier, assuming it might be from "someone random."
Bashir's selection in the 16-man Test squad for the India tour on December 11 came as a surprise to everyone, including the off-spinner himself.
Bashir, who played only six first-class matches, was surprised to know that the caller with a New Zealand number was Test coach Brendon McCullum. McCullum called to tell him about his selection for the India tour. Bashir didn't answer the call but responded when McCullum messaged him on WhatsApp.
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"I didn't think it was someone winding me up, and I didn't think much of it until it hit me. Then I was like, 'Wow, it's Baz'. Honestly, I can't put it into words now, and it's been two or three days. It's just so special. I'm delighted to have an opportunity - it is crazy, crazy news," Shoaib said.
England are scheduled to participate in five Tests in India as part of their ICC World Test Championship cycle, commencing on January 25 in Hyderabad. Bashir is gearing up for the challenging subcontinent tour equipped with a variety of skills in his arsenal.
"I've got an off-spinner, the undercutter, a side-spinner and an arm ball. And I am working on a Carrom ball, too. So, I've got a few, and I think they would work quite nicely in India."
Having debuted professionally for Somerset in June, the 20-year-old has secured 10 wickets in his first-class career. He participated in the England Lions squad for the UAE tour, where he had the opportunity to meet coaches and former players Graeme Swann and Andrew Flintoff.
"Legends. Such good lads. You look at them and you're reminiscing on these old thoughts of them taking poles, whacking the ball. It's just unbelievable. To be working with them now is incredible," Bashir said.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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