India vs England 2024

England’s uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir stranded in UAE due to visa issues

Jan 22, 2024 6:05 pm

While the England squad landed in India on Sunday amidst much anticipation for the upcoming five-match Test series, the absence of one player cast a shadow of uncertainty. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, touted as England’s secret weapon against India’s formidable batting lineup, remains stuck in the UAE due to visa complications.

Bashir, the uncapped 20-year-old who has played just 6 first-class games and was quite a surprise inclusion in the touring contingent. England officials are in constant communication with the Indian authorities and hoping for a speedy resolution in this regard. Coach Brendon McCullum echoed these sentiments, and hoped that Bashir would be able to link up with the side soon.

“Bash will join us hopefully tomorrow as well. He’s got a couple of issues with his visa coming through. We’re confident on the back of the help from the Indian Cricket Board and the Indian government that will sort itself out pretty quickly as well. We’re hoping the news will come through today that his visa has been approved, then we’ll get him to sink his teeth into this series,” McCullum said.

Reports indicate that Bashir impressed the team management during the preparation camp in the UAE and is in line to make his Test debut in the first Test in Hyderabad which starts on January 25.

Daniel Lawrence added to the squad

Meanwhile, England have named Daniel Lawrence as a replacement for Harry Brook in their Test squad for the upcoming Tests. Brook had yesterday pulled out of the series citing personal reasons. Lawrence, 26, has played 11 Tests for England, scoring 551 runs at an average of 29.00.

McCullum though, has not ruled out Broo’s return to the squad for the backend of the series. “Obviously our thoughts are with Harry and his family, it’s a tough time. It’s a privileged position to play cricket for a living but some things are more important than that. There’s a chance he may return later in the tour but for now, we just want him to be with his family and do his thing. We’ll just keep talking,” he said.