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England off-spinner Bashir signs for Derbyshire after Ashes exile
England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire, the County Championship club confirmed on Thursday. The move comes after the 22-year-old was released by First Division side Somerset at the end of his contract.
Bashir’s departure follows a period of limited opportunities, despite his status as a current England Test international. He was the sole frontline spinner in England’s recent Ashes squad but did not feature in the series, remaining an unused tourist while management opted for batting depth. This mirrored his challenges at Somerset, where he found himself behind left-arm spinner Jack Leach and the emerging all-rounder Archie Vaughan, son of former captain Michael Vaughan.
Seeking regular cricket, Bashir had brief loan spells with Worcestershire and Glamorgan last season. He now joins a Derbyshire side, led by head coach Mickey Arthur, that narrowly missed promotion from the Second Division last year.
"Derbyshire have a really exciting project going on and working with Mickey Arthur, one of the best coaches in the world, is a great opportunity for any young player," Bashir said. "I'm keen to play more red-ball cricket, continue my development and challenge for promotion."
Despite being sidelined since breaking a finger in July, Bashir’s international pedigree is clear. He has taken 68 wickets in just 19 Tests since his debut in India in early 2024 and remains a centrally contracted England player until 2026.
Derbyshire coach Mickey Arthur welcomed the signing, stating, "To be able to bring in a current England international is really exciting. He will bring great energy and experience into our dressing room, despite having so much time to still improve his game."
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