On Saturday, during the third day of the fifth and final Test of the five-match series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, young England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir became the first English bowler to record two fifers at the age of 21. Bashir scored his fifer during the first session of the third day of the Last Test in Dharamsala. He bowled a total of 46.1 overs, conceding 173 runs and bowling five maidens. The spinner claimed the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Paddikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Aside from Bashir, other players who have taken a fifer at the age of 21 include Bill Voce (1), James Anderson (1), and Rehan Ahmed.
Coming into the match, Ravichandran Ashwin’s five-wicket haul in his 100th Test broke the back of England’s batting line-up, dealing the Three Lions’ ‘Bazball’ school of cricket one final blow as India won the fifth and final Test by an innings and 64 runs in Dharamshala on Saturday.
India has won the series 4–1. Despite some promising moments and performances by England throughout the series, the Indian bowling and youth brigade prevented the ‘Bazball’ from conquering what was described as the ‘Final Frontier’ for skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum following a long run of success since mid-2022.
England began the second session on 103/5, with Joe Root (34*) joined by wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes.
Foakes, known for playing important supporting roles with the bat, ended his innings on eight runs after attempting a massive slog sweep but being beaten by Ravichandran Ashwin’s spin. England was 113/6.
Jasprit Bumrah ended his 24-ball, 20-run knock by trapping him leg-before-wicket. Two balls later, Mark Wood was out without a run after Bumrah delivered another toe crusher. England was 141/8 after 34.4 overs, and India needed two more wickets to hand England an embarrassing innings defeat on day three.
Root scored his half-century in 88 balls, including five fours. Shoaib Bashir provided some support for the batter at the other end. The duo appeared to be on track to take England to 200 runs, but Bashir was dismissed for 13 by Ravindra Jadeja. England was 189/9, 70 runs behind the lead. India needed just one wicket to win.
Kuldeep took the final wicket of the match, getting Joe caught by Bumrah for 84 in 128 balls and 12 fours. England was bowled out for 195 and lost by an innings and 64 runs.
