Image Credit- AP
The first-year offspinner for England, Shoaib Bashir,
called the dismissal of Rohit Sharma for his first Test wicket in Visakhapatnam
“very, very special” and added that his debut was “more
memorable” because of the protracted delay in obtaining his visa.
On his first day of the Test match, Bashir bowled 28
overs and returned statistics of 2 for 100. In the last session, he had Axar
Patel caught at backward point after dismissing Rohit in his fourth over,
caught at leg slip. India ended the first day of the second day at 336 for 6.
“If you were to tell me that two years ago, I
would laugh,” Bashir told talkSPORT, asked about becoming a Test cricketer
at the age of 20 with only six previous first-class appearances to his name.
“It was a very special moment receiving my Test cap and for me to get
Rohit Sharma as my first wicket was very, very special.
“He’s a great player of spin as well. I’m just so
grateful to God and my family. They’ve supported me through thick and thin. I
had a lot of ups and downs in my journey, so I just want to thank them as
well.”
Bashir’s parents’ Pakistani origin delayed the
issuance of his visa, so much so that he didn’t arrive in India until the
fourth day of the first Test in Hyderabad. He was forced to return to the
United Kingdom following England’s training camp in Abu Dhabi.
“I always knew I’d get the visa,” he said.
“I did have a few troubles with it, but look, we’re here now and I got to
make my debut and it’s such a special day. It makes it more memorable, yeah. I
had a bit of trouble, bit of hassle with it but to come out to India now and
make my Test debut is unbelievable.”
Assessing England’s day, Bashir said: “It was a
tough pitch to bowl on. It didn’t offer too much, but I thought the way the
boys went about it was awesome for us to pick up six wickets… we’ll get again
tomorrow, hopefully get a breakthrough and get batting out there.”