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Bashir signed a two-year deal with Somerset in 2023, and was then picked for England’s tour of India the following year after playing only six first-class matches.<\/p>\n
Despite a modest domestic record \u2013 Bashir’s average in the County Championship is 84 \u2013 he has thrived for his country under Stokes’ leadership.<\/p>\n
He was man of the match in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe last month with career-best match figures of 9-143, which also included Bashir becoming the youngest England man to reach 50 Test wickets.<\/p>\n
While he has replaced Leach as England’s number one spinner, Somerset have kept faith with the 33-year-old as their first choice.<\/p>\n
Bashir’s route to Somerset’s first XI is further complicated by the emergence of 19-year-old Archie Vaughan, who provides an all-round option with his off-breaks.<\/p>\n
Any potential move for Bashir would hinge on the opportunity to play more and accelerate his development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n