[Watch] Shoaib Bashir takes a stunner as Kusal Mendis mistimes one on Day 4 of ENG vs SL 2024 3rd Test

Young England cricketer Shoaib Bashir claimed a blinder as the hosts claimed a much-needed early breakthrough on Day 4 of the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval. The off-spinner covered good ground to take the catch even as Kusal Mendis seemed to have nailed the hook shot.

The dismissal came in the 20th over of the innings as Gus Atkinson sent down a short-pitched delivery and Mendis played a hook shot. Stationed at deep backward square, the youngster ran in hard and fast and executed his dive to significant effect to take the catch.

A couple of balls earlier, the right-handed batter had played the same shot but it fell well short of him.

You can watch the dismissal below:

After Dimuth Karunaratne departed for eight runs, Mendis joined hands with Pathum Nissanka to stitch together a brilliant partnership, putting Sri Lanka in front to chase down 219. The fall of Mendis' wicket ended their 75-ball 69 partnership.

Shoaib Bashir's returns have been underwhelming against Sri Lanka

Selected as the first-choice spinner for the summer ahead of Jack Leach, Bashir has struggled a touch against Sri Lanka after shining against the West Indies. The 20-year-old claimed three wickets in the opening Test in Manchester, followed by a couple at Lord's.

The youngster gave a statement performance against the West Indies, taking a fifer at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

With The Oval Test against Sri Lanka hanging at a knife's edge, England will hope for Bashir to step up. The home side suffered a monumental batting collapse on Day 3, skittled out for 156 as Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando shared seven wickets between them, with the former bagging four.

England also went from 221/3 to 325 all out in their first dig at The Oval but got a 62-run lead eventually. Ollie Pope's men would have been keen to wrap up a perfect summer but Sri Lanka look firm favourites to emerge victorious at The Oval.