Shoaib Bashir Set To Be Retained In Central Contract Despite Playing Two Tests In A Year

Shoaib Bashir. [Source - AFP]England are set to retain Shoaib Bashir on their central contract list for 2026-27 despite playing only two Tests in the past year. The decision highlights England’s continued faith in the spinner.Bashir’s role has diminished considerably since his breakthrough on the 2024 India tour, but England’s decision to renew his central contract shows they still consider him an important option for their Test plans.England Still Backs Shoaib Bashir Despite Limited OpportunitiesShoaib Bashir burst onto the scene on his Test debut in 2024 and quickly established himself as England’s first-choice spinner, a status he retained for the next 18 months before his fortunes changed.Bashir suffered an injury in his left hand during the Lord’s Test against India last year, but returned on the final day and dismissed Mohammed Siraj with his final wicket, helping England complete a memorable victory.ALSO READEngland Learn From Ashes Mistake, Set To Play Warm-Up Match Ahead Of Australia ODIsSince then, Bashir has played only two Tests, both against New Zealand earlier this year, but did not bowl a single delivery in one of them. He took three wickets at Trent Bridge in the other Test, where England suffered a series defeat.Moreover, Bashir was left out of England’s 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan and also lost his place in the Ashes squad to Will Jacks last winter. Yet, England are still prepared to hand him a central contract for the 2026-27 cycle. Why England Are Retaining Shoaib Bashir On Central ContractShoaib Bashir has played only two Tests for England in the past 12 months, yet he is set to retain his England's central contract. The decision comes after a difficult period for the young spinner.Bashir also had a difficult first season with Derbyshire in County Cricket after moving from Somerset, taking 24 wickets at an average of 47.70 in Division Two. His recent county form has offered little reason for confidence.He is not guaranteed a place in England’s three-Test series against South Africa this winter either, with conditions potentially prompting them to stick with an all-seam attack. However, their next assignment could bring Bashir back into contention.England will travel to Bangladesh in February for two World Test Championship Tests, where spin is expected to play a much bigger role. Bashir could therefore become an important part of England’s spin attack.ALSO READWatch- Prabhsimran Singh, Nishant Sindhu Get In Nasty Collision On The Field