England’s uncapped spin bowler, Shoaib Bashir, is reportedly not playing in the initial Test against India due to visa hold-ups. India and England will kick off their five-game series this Thursday, January 25, at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Reports suggest that 20-year old Shoaib Bashir, who has Pakistani roots, could not team up with the England crew in India. He missed the journey from their Abu Dhabi prep camp due to visa snags.
The guests hoped the situation would be settled shortly, but Shoaib Bashir was advised to return to London to discuss it directly with the Indian High Commission. The England team is now hopeful that the young player can join the group in India this weekend.
Shoaib Bashir played in six premier games and seven One-Day matches, bagging 10 and three dismissals in each field. Seasoned southpaw Jack Leach, along with Tom Hartley, another left-arm artist, and 19-year-old Rehan Ahmed, who spins the ball with his leg, are the softer tossing figures in the English Test battalion.
Ben Stokes ‘frustrated’ and ‘devastated’ by Shoaib Bashir’s visa problems before India Tests
England captain Ben Stokes has voiced his sorrow that Shoaib Bashir was unable to join the squad in Hyderabad ahead of the first Test against India owing to visa complications. According to media sources, he responded to the incident by saying:
“I didn’t want this type of situation to be his first experience of what it’s like to be in the England Test team. Especially for a young lad, I’m devastated for him. As captain, I find it particularly frustrating. We announced the squad in mid-December, and now Bash finds himself without a visa to get here.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes Added:
“It’s unfortunate, and I’m very frustrated for him. With Bash unfortunately not able to be here, it rules him out of this game.”
Ben Stokes
Brendon McCullum, England’s coach, began the week hopeful. He hoped the BCCI and India’s government would straighten out visa problems for the promising off-spinner. But, this didn’t happen.
Let’s look back at the ODI World Cup in India last year. That’s when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) voiced complaints to the ICC. They were unhappy with visa delays. Pakistan journalists, eager to report on the ICC, said they faced the same troubles.
Usman Khawaja, Australia’s lead-off hitter, was born in Pakistan. He also ran into visa troubles during his team’s tour to India last year.
