Venkatesh Prasad, an ex-speedy Indian cricket player, says the Shoaib Bashir visa mess was England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) mistake. Venkatesh Prasad sharply criticized the English media on X. This was after a reporter hinted that the visiting team should say no to the first Test match due to the visa issue.
Spinner Shoaib Bashir, who was born in Pakistan, was selected for the first time in England’s Test team for the next series against India. Bashir was present for the England team’s pre-series camp in Abu Dhabi. With his visa troubles, Bashir was unable to fly to Hyderabad a few days ago, while the rest of the team arrived.
According to sources, the spinner was forced to return to London even though the ECB had anticipated assistance from the BCCI in resolving the concerns. Ben Stokes and company are advised by a well-known English media outlet to decline to play in tomorrow’s (January 25) first Test in Hyderabad.
Venkatesh Prasad replied to the tweet with the following:
“His visa needed to be stamped in the UK. The ECB sent Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, thinking it would be stamped in a third country. Not following basic procedures , assuming things and then crying foul is an old English way. If anyone, it is the ECB at fault.”
Venkatesh Prasad
Venkatesh Prasad was supported by most admirers on the social media network. In only a few hours, more than 12,000 people have liked his tweet.
Shoaib Bashir clears visa hurdle; England spinner to travel to India over the weekend
The tweet from the Cricket Board of England and Wales tells us Bashir’s got his visa. He’s joining the squad this weekend. He won’t play in the first Test. Yet, for the series’ other four Tests, Bashir can be picked.
“Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa, and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend. We’re glad the situation has now been resolved,” the England Cricket handle wrote.
Seeing how the untapped talent does on his debut tour should be fascinating. The young spinner can benefit from the conditions in India.