Leach, the 32-year-old left-arm spinner, had a minor role in England’s impressive 28-run victory in the first game of the series. He faced a left knee issue during the match.
He’s ruled out of the second Test. Unfortunately the knock he took resulted in a haematoma,” Stokes told travelling British media on Wednesday.
“It’s a big shame for us and a big shame for him. It’s something we’re assessing every day but the medical team have taken over on that so hopefully it’s not something too serious that keeps him out for longer.”
Bashir had to go back to London to fix a visa problem last week but made it back just in time to see the last day of England’s amazing win in the first Test of a five-match series.
Although the 20-year-old off-spinner Bashir has only taken 10 first-class wickets with an average of 67, the rookie left-arm spinner Tom Hartley had an impressive seven-wicket performance in India’s unsuccessful run chase during his Test debut last week. England might not be concerned about lack of experience once again.
To be perfectly honest, our training camp in Abu Dhabi was the first real live look I got at Bash,” Stokes said.
“The first time I saw him was on Twitter. I think the County Championship put a little clip together of him bowling against Sir Alastair (Cook).
“I just saw something. With the height he bowled from, it was very obvious that he put a lot of action, a lot of revolutions, on the ball.”
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