Ben Stokes Praises Shoaib Bashir's Heroics Despite Injury in Thrilling Test Victory

England's Victory and Bashir's Injury

On July 15, in London, England's captain Ben Stokes expressed that the moment when their off-spinner Shoaib Bashir claimed the final wicket was destined to happen. Following a hard-fought 22-run win against India in the third Test of the five-match series at Lord's, Stokes confirmed that Bashir would miss the remaining two Tests due to injury. During the third day, Bashir was hit on his left hand by a low shot from Ravindra Jadeja while attempting a catch. He promptly signaled for medical assistance and left the field for treatment. Reports from Sky Sports indicated that Bashir is scheduled for surgery later this week. Despite the injury to his non-bowling hand, he returned to bat in the final session of day four, contributing seven runs alongside Jofra Archer, helping England reach a total of 192.

A Memorable Match-Winning Moment

Bashir spent most of the final day off the field but returned to bowl in the closing moments of the match. He delivered a heart-wrenching blow to the Indian team when Mohammed Siraj's shot was turned back into the stumps, leaving Siraj stunned. Bashir celebrated his achievement as his teammates lifted him in joy, marking England's 2-1 lead in the series. Stokes remarked, "We didn't even need to ask him to bat. He got ready with extra padding and made vital runs for us. It was as if fate had decided he would be the one to finish it."

Bashir's Determination

In the post-match press conference, Stokes highlighted the significance of Bashir's contributions and the impact of his absence on the team. He praised the young player's bravery, stating, "It's unfortunate for Bash and disappointing for the team. His willingness to bat despite the injury shows how much it means to wear the England shirt. Even with injuries, he was eager to wait for his chance to bowl, demonstrating his commitment to the team."