Shoaib Bashir Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Shoaib Bashir is a young English off‑spin bowler who has represented England in Test cricket since 2024.

Shoaib Bashir was born on 13 October 2003 in Chertsey and grew up in Woking, Surrey. He attended Fullbrook School followed by Woking College, where his early promise was nurtured. Bashir comes from a Pakistani‑heritage family rooted in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, and speaks the Pothwari dialect of Punjabi as well as Urdu at home. He is a practising Muslim and credits his uncle, Saj, a wicket‑keeper‑batsman for Guildford City Cricket Club, for encouraging his cricketing ambitions.

Bashir began his professional journey with Somerset County Cricket Club, making his first‑class debut against Essex on 11 June 2023 and his T20 Blast debut versus Hampshire on 7 June 2023. After loan spells with Worcestershire and Glamorgan, he signed for Derbyshire in January 2026. He earned his Test debut for England against India at Visakhapatnam on 2 February 2024 and, to date, has played 21 Tests, scoring 106 runs and taking 71 wickets, with best bowling figures of 6/81.

Shoaib Bashir: quick facts

Born: 13 October 2003, Chertsey
Team: England
Teams: Somerset County Cricket Club, Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Shoaib Bashir career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate	100s	50s
Tests	21	32	106	14	7.57	37.99	0	0

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best	Average	Economy
Tests	21	71	6/81	39.42	3.79

Figures as of 13 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

Shoaib Bashir’s early life

Bashir was born in Chertsey and spent his childhood in the nearby town of Woking. He studied at Fullbrook School and later at Woking College, where his cricketing talent began to attract attention. His family maintains strong ties to Mirpur in Azad Kashmir; at home he converses in the Pothwari dialect of Punjabi and is also comfortable in Urdu. Bashir’s Muslim faith and cultural background have been a constant part of his upbringing, shaping his identity both on and off the field.

From a young age Bashir played club cricket for Guildford and represented Surrey and Middlesex in age‑group competitions. He also featured for Berkshire in Minor Counties cricket, gaining valuable experience in the English domestic circuit. During the winter of 2022‑23 he spent a season in Australia playing for Lindfield District Cricket Club, further developing his skills in varied conditions before signing a professional contract with Somerset.

Shoaib Bashir’s domestic career

Bashir’s performances for Somerset’s Second‑XI in 2022, where he claimed nine wickets at an average of 14.11 with a best of 5 for 44 against Warwickshire Second‑XI, earned him a senior contract for the 2023 season. He made his T20 Blast debut on 7 June 2023 against Hampshire and took his first senior wickets three days later, returning figures of 3‑26 in a win over Gloucestershire. After a two‑year contract extension in June 2023, he debuted in first‑class cricket on 11 June 2023 versus Essex and later featured in Somerset’s T20 Blast triumph at Edgbaston in July 2023.

In June 2024 Bashir joined Worcestershire on a short‑term loan, debuting in the T20 Blast against Nottinghamshire on 7 June and later being named Young Player of the Year at the 2024 Cricket Writers' Club Awards. A subsequent loan to Glamorgan in early 2025 saw limited success, with only two wickets from three matches, but he returned to the England set‑up for the Zimbabwe Test. In January 2026 he moved to Derbyshire on a two‑year deal, turning down an offer to remain with Somerset.

Shoaib Bashir’s international career

Bashir earned his Test cap against India at the Andhra Cricket Association‑Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association Stadium, Visakhapatnam on 2 February 2024. In his second Test, on 25 February 2024, he recorded his maiden five‑wicket haul with figures of 5/119, becoming the second youngest overseas spinner to achieve a five‑for on Indian soil. He continued to impress, claiming another five‑for (5/41) at Trent Bridge against the West Indies on 18 July 2024, the youngest England spinner to take a five‑wicket haul at home. By May 2025 he reached his fiftieth Test wicket, the youngest Englishman to do so, and posted career‑best figures of 6/81 against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on 22 May 2025, earning man‑of‑the‑match honours.

A broken finger sustained in the third Test against India at Lord’s in July 2025 forced Bashir out of the remainder of that series, though he returned to claim the match‑winning wicket before being ruled out. He was selected for England’s 2025‑26 tour of Australia, featuring in the latter part of the series after missing the first three Tests. Across his Test career to 25 June 2026 he has played 21 matches, scoring 106 runs at an average of 7.57 and taking 71 wickets at 39.42, with a strike rate of 37.99 and economy of 3.79.

Shoaib Bashir’s playing style

Bashir bats right‑handed, typically occupying a lower‑order position. In 21 Tests he has accumulated 106 runs in 32 innings, with a highest score of 14 and a strike rate of 37.99, reflecting his role as a bowler rather than a specialist batsman. His batting contributions are occasional, focusing on supporting the tail and adding useful runs when required.

As a right‑arm off‑break bowler, Bashir relies on flight, turn and subtle variations in pace to deceive batsmen. He has demonstrated the ability to extract bounce on sub‑continental pitches, evident from his five‑for on Indian soil and his best figures of 6/81 at Trent Bridge. Over his Test career he has bowled 71 wickets at an average of 39.42, maintaining an economy of 3.79 and taking six catches in the field.

Shoaib Bashir’s records and achievements

Bashir’s Test record includes 71 wickets at an average of 39.42, with best innings figures of 6/81 against Zimbabwe on 22 May 2025. He has claimed four five‑wicket hauls: 5/119 versus India at Ranchi (25 February 2024), 5/173 versus India at Dharamsala (7 March 2024), 5/41 versus West Indies at Trent Bridge (18 July 2024) and 5/119 on debut series. He became the youngest England spinner to take a five‑for at home and the second youngest overseas spinner to achieve a five‑for in India. In May 2025 he recorded his fiftieth Test wicket, the youngest English player to reach that milestone.

Bashir’s early promise was recognised with the Young Player of the Year award at the 2024 Cricket Writers' Club Awards. His performance of 6/81 earned him the man‑of‑the‑match award in the Zimbabwe Test. These achievements underline his rapid rise from a county loanee to a key component of England’s spin attack within a few short years.

Shoaib Bashir’s personal life

Bashir’s family roots lie in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, and he maintains close ties to his heritage, speaking the Pothwari dialect of Punjabi at home alongside Urdu. He is a practising Muslim and attributes much of his early encouragement to his uncle, Saj, who played as a wicket‑keeper‑batsman for Guildford City Cricket Club. Bashir’s upbringing in Woking and his education at Fullbrook School and Woking College provided a supportive environment for his cricket development.

Off the field Bashir is known for his modest demeanor and dedication to improving his craft. He has spoken about the importance of family support and cultural identity in shaping his perspective, and he continues to balance his professional commitments with his personal values and community connections.

Shoaib Bashir: frequently asked questions

When was Shoaib Bashir born?

Shoaib Bashir was born on 13 October 2003 in Chertsey.

Where is Shoaib Bashir from?

Shoaib Bashir was born in Chertsey.

Which teams has Shoaib Bashir played for?

Shoaib Bashir plays international cricket for England. Shoaib Bashir’s other teams include Somerset County Cricket Club and Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

When did Shoaib Bashir make an international debut?

Shoaib Bashir made a Test debut against India at Andhra Cricket Association-Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association Stadium, Visakhapatnam on 2 February 2024.