Bashir link surfaces

My post bag has been as sizeable as Santa's sack today, after a story appeared in The Daily Mail regarding Shoaib Bashir:

Daily Mail Sport can reveal off-spinner Bashir, whose snubbing for the first three Tests against Australia followed his release by Somerset. Unless there are any last-minute hitches, the 22-year-old will complete his switch to Derbyshire in the coming days.

Derbyshire believe there is potential for growth in Bashir as a bowler within their environment and equally that their squad will benefit from having someone with 68 Test wickets within it.

The only stumbling block has been some concern at board level about the six-figure salary such a player carries, and the prospect of it coming out of the 2027 budget should he lose his central contract next autumn.

Derbyshire’s outlay on him during the 2026 season will be limited to relocation expenses plus bonuses for team performance - whether he is selected by England or not.

Bashir’s 6ft 4in stature and high release point appear to be ideally suited to Derby, now one of the country’s bouncier venues for bowlers. But with competition from Jack Morley, the slow left-armer, highly rated by Arthur, he may have to bide his time to establish himself as the club’s No1 spinner.

My understanding is that things are not quite so clear cut and that this may be another of those stories emanating from the player's agent.

There is interest from Derbyshire and, as I wrote recently, I think he could follow in the footsteps of such luminaries as Tony Palladino, Mark Footitt, Martin Andersson, Luis Reece and Nye Donald in finding a successful home at the club. We have long been seen as welcoming, with the right atmosphere both inside and outside the dressing room. Some people need that, being valued and appreciated to produce their best.

Bashir can clearly play, but he needs the opportunity to rebuild his reputation in a positive environment, with the right coaching support. There also needs to be a touch of realism from the player/agent side, I suspect. Derbyshire has a finite budget and while the cost is minimal for this year under his central contract, they cannot and surely will not over commit for year two. 

By the same token, again as I wrote recently, we have only one recognised senior spinner on the staff. If we can afford to do so, how better to rectify that situation than with the man who has been seen as the best in the country until recently? How nice would it be to have the resources to challenge, regardless of the conditions? How good would it be to see 'Shoaib Bashir - Derbyshire' on an England team sheet? 

What the lad needs is a chance to bowl. Long spells, getting a rhythm, a preferred end and tiredness at the end of the day. Contrary to the current belief in the England set up, you don't get better at anything in life if you don't do a lot of it. Edwin Smith bowled hundreds of overs a summer for Derbyshire, which allowed him to take 1246 wickets. Some were in favourable conditions, but plenty of times he had to work hard for them.

The public perception of Derbyshire has changed. The club's foresight in appointing Mickey Arthur has been a factor, the presence of a world-renowned coach at the club has lifted our image beyond doubt.

There will be dissenters, of course and that's fine. And I must stress my understanding is that things are not yet at the stage expressed by the Daily Mail. Bashir may yet go down as an unfulfilled talent, but in my book if the chance to sign an international player presents itself, surely it is an opportunity to grasp, a risk to take? 

It is something to keep an eye on. I don't foresee a midnight dash to a service station on the M5 to get his signature, nor necessarily expect that it will end with a photo of him in Derbyshire kit.

But...it's intriguing isn't it? 

And if Bashir ended up signing, a few days after Mickey Arthur said that his team building for red ball was complete, he has thrown a curve ball worthy of Sir Brian of Clough...

With that, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for your input and support in 2025.

I will be back soon!