Left Arm Around

Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir will make his debut in the second Test in Visakhapatnam, starting tomorrow (04:00 GMT).

Bashir was unavailable for the first Test due to visa issues, but comes into the side to replace Somerset compatriot Jack Leach- who suffered a knee injury in England’s 28 run victory in Hyderabad.

The 20-year-old has played only six first-class matches so far in his career, taking 10 wickets at an average of 67.

Although his stats don’t stand out or seem particularly impressive, it is believed that captain Ben Stokes has been keeping a close eye on the talented youngster.

It is said that Stokes first came across him in a video on X, where he was impressed by the way Bashir bowled to England great Sir Alastair Cook at Chelmsford on his first-class debut last June.

Only Rehan Ahmed, who is also selected in the XI, has played fewer first-class games (3) before making his Test debut for England since 1945.

41-year-old James Anderson is the other change to the XI from the first Test, replacing fellow seamer Mark Wood.