India vs England 2024

UK PM Rishi Sunak’s office calls for fairness for British Citizens amid Shoaib Bashir’s Visa dispute

England spinner Shoaib Bashir’s visa delay controversy drew the British government’s attention while also creating an unwanted distraction in the run-up to India’s much-anticipated Test series. Sohaib Bashir missed the first Test in Hyderabad because his Indian visa was not approved in time for the series opener. The 20-year-old cricketer’s parents were from Pakistan and had to return home to solve these difficulties, preventing him from joining the rest of the squad on their way back from a training camp in Abu Dhabi.

The English media escalated the issue, blaming the Indian government for the 20-year-old Somerset spinner’s visa delays. However, many people pointed out that the delay was due to the England Cricket Board, but the topic dominated headlines.

Shoaib Bashir, who is of Pakistani origin, was scheduled to go to India with the rest of his teammates from the UAE, where the Ben Stokes-led team was holding a pre-series training camp. However, Bashir was compelled to stay in Abu Dhabi while his colleagues arrived in India on January 21. Shoaib Bashir eventually had to return home to complete his visa application process.

Only on the eve of the first Test, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that Shoaib Bashir had acquired his visa and would join the team over the weekend. However, the youthful spinner was unable to make the playing XI for the first Test.

“Shoaib Bashir has received his visa and will travel to India to join the team this weekend. “We’re relieved that the situation has been resolved,” the England Cricket Board stated in a statement on Wednesday.

A British government spokesperson said on Wednesday that they would not discuss the facts of the Shoaib Bashir case but asked the Indian government to treat their citizens properly when issuing visas.

Ben Stokes expressed his frustration over Shoaib Bashir’s situation

The England captain Ben Stokes expressed his frustration over the situation and felt bad as the selected player didn’t join the team because of visa problems. During the England team’s training session, the England Cricket Board (ECB) tried to solve the problem in Abu Dhabi but had the send back Shoaib Bashir to the UK for paperwork.

Ben Stokes who won the toss in a first Test match against India elected to bat first. England had picked Tom Hartley who is playing his 1st Test match along with Rehan Ahmed who made his debut in West Indies and the experienced spinner Jack Leach.