NEW DELHI: Shoaib Bashir, a promising off-spinner for England, dismissed a missed call he noticed a few days ago from a New Zealand dialing code number, believing it could have been from "anyone random".
Barely six first-class matches into his career, Bashir never would have dreamed that the number belonged to former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and that the England red-ball coach was phoning to share some great news with him.
"I was like 'Who is this? It could be anyone random'," Bashir told 'The Telegraph'.
Everyone, including the off-spinner himself, was taken aback when Bashir was named in the 16-person Test squad for the India tour on Monday.
Bashir did not reply until McCullum contacted him via WhatsApp.
"I didn't think it was someone winding me up, and I didn't think much of it until it hit me. Then I was like, 'Wow, it's Baz'.
1/8:Shoaib Bashir among uncapped trio in England Test squad for India tour
2/8:Four specialist spinners in England squad
<p>England on Monday named four specialist spinners, including the uncapped duo of Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, in the 16-member squad for next month's five-Test series in India.<br /></p>
3/8:20-year-old Bashir plays for Somerset
<p>The 20-year-old Bashir, who plays for Somerset, has snapped 10 wickets in his six-match first-class career that began in June this year. Off-spinners Bashir and Hartley were both part of the England Lions squad that trained in the United Arab Emirates last month.<br /></p>
4/8:Leach returns after recovering from back injury
<p>The other two specialist spinners in the squad are Jack Leach, who has recovered from his back injury, and teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed. Ahmed returns to the Test squad after claiming a five-wicket haul on his Test debut in Pakistan last December. <br /></p>Getty Images
5/8:Maiden Test call for pacer Atkinson
<p>Surrey quick Gus Atkinson, who claimed 20 wickets in five County Championship matches last summer at an average of 20.20 helping Surrey claim back-to-back titles, has also earned his maiden Test call.<br /></p>
6/8:Stokes to lead England against India
<p>England skipper Ben Stokes, who underwent knee surgery after the World Cup, is also named in the squad but it is to be seen if the all-rounder resumes bowling duties. (Getty Images)<br /></p>Getty Images
7/8:England also recall wicketkeeper-batter Foakes
<p>Wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes, who didn't figure in the Ashes squad, has also been recalled.<br /></p>Getty Images
8/8:Veteran Anderson to lead England pace attack
<p>Veteran James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Atkinson and Mark Wood are the four frontline seamers in the squad. The five-Test series is slated to begin in Hyderabad on January 25. <br /></p>Getty Images"Honestly, I can't put it into words now, and it's been two or three days. It's just so special. I'm delighted to have an opportunity - it is crazy, crazy news," he said.
As part of their ICC World Test Championships cycle, England will play five Tests in India, beginning on January 25 in Hyderabad.
Anticipating a tough journey to the subcontinent, Bashir is prepared with a plethora of cunning techniques. Aside from that, England will rely on his large hands and six foot four inch height to help him produce bounce and bowl with control.
"I've got the off-spinner, the undercutter, a side-spinner and an arm ball. And I am working on a Carrom ball, too. So, I've got a few, and I think they would work quite nicely in India."
In his brief first-class career, the 20-year-old has claimed 10 wickets for Somerset since making his professional debut in June.
He had the opportunity to spend time with coaches and former players Andrew Flintoff and Graeme Swann while he was with the England Lions in the United Arab Emirates.
"Legends. Such good lads. You look at them and you're reminiscing on these old thoughts of them taking poles, whacking the ball. It's just unbelievable. To be working with them now is incredible," Bashir said.
(With PTI inputs)
