Bashir Reflects on Memorable Dismissal of Siraj at Lord’s

LONDON: Young England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir shared on Tuesday that taking the wicket of India’s Mohammed Siraj at Lord’s is a moment he will always remember.

In an interview, Bashir gave credit to former England all-rounder Moeen Ali for giving him the confidence to bowl the carrom ball.

“I first met Moeen Ali at Edgbaston, and we had a long conversation. Moeen encouraged me to deliver the carrom ball. He has always been an inspiration, and his support meant a lot,” Bashir stated.

“I bowled it a few times, and it felt good. I dismissed Siraj with a very slow ball, around 43 to 44mph. Since Edgbaston, I’ve maintained contact with Moeen. He’s a legend and someone I admire greatly, especially as an off-spinner in England, which isn’t an easy role.”

Bashir emphasized his determination to return to the field when England struggled for a breakthrough during the final innings.

“We were creating opportunities but couldn’t quite get the wicket. I really wanted to be out there. Stokesy understood and gave me the opportunity when I was on the bench. My left hand felt fine when I was bowling. I’m happy I could contribute,” he recalled.

Bashir noted that Root’s close fielding and his own spin bowling were key to dismissing Siraj.

“We positioned Joe Root at silly point to apply pressure on Siraj, and I focused on maximizing the ball’s revolutions. Fortunately, it bounced off a length, hit his bat, and went into the ground.

He remembered the excitement of securing the victory at Lord’s in front of a full house as an unforgettable experience.

“From my perspective, I couldn’t clearly see the bail come off; my reaction was based on everyone else’s. That feeling will stay with me forever, at the home of cricket, in front of a packed crowd. It doesn’t get any better.”

Bashir also made a small but crucial contribution with the bat, adding two runs in a seven-run partnership with Jofra Archer while enduring pain and facing India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.

“The injury occurred, I left the field, and had a scan. I knew it was pretty serious, but I took painkillers. Bumrah’s first ball was a bouncer, and the next was a yorker.

“The vibrations shot up my hands. But I was always going to bat, even if it was just to add a few runs. In the larger picture, they might be important,” Bashir concluded.