Shoaib Bashir, the 20-year-old uncapped off-spinner from England, finds himself stranded in the UAE due to a bureaucratic hiccup, just days before the commencement of the five-Test series against India. A paperwork delay following the conclusion of an England training camp in Abu Dhabi has compelled Bashir, of Pakistani descent, to remain behind.
Accompanying him is Stuart Hooper, the newly appointed managing director of cricket operations at the ECB, as reported by ESPNCricinfo. England’s red-ball head coach, Brendon McCullum, has taken swift action, bringing the matter to the attention of both the BCCI and the Indian government. McCullum expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved within the next 24 hours.
Despite the setback causing Bashir to miss approximately two days of crucial preparations, McCullum reassures that the talented Somerset player remains a viable contender for selection in the inaugural Test. The unforeseen delay underscores the intricacies and challenges faced by international cricket teams, even in the realm of administrative procedures.
Visa issues leave England without Shoaib Bashir on arrival in India. pic.twitter.com/vKHwvfUUV0
— Amit Patel (@PatelCricinfo) January 23, 2024
Brendon McCullum said: “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 BCCI and the Indian government that will sort itself out pretty quickly as well. Things take time, don’t they? Everyone is doing what they can. It’s a process we need to go through.”
“We’re pretty confident that we’re close. The time that Bash had with the squad over in Abu Dhabi, where he fitted in seamlessly, will serve him greatly. We’ve also got a little bit of support out there for him, so he’s not on his own. 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,” he concluded.
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