Earlier this week, Shoaib Bashir, a promising yet uncapped spinner, found himself excluded from England’s initial Test match against India in Hyderabad due to visa complications. The 20-year-old cricketer, hailing from Pakistani heritage, had to return home to address these issues, preventing him from joining the rest of the squad, who were en route from a training camp in Abu Dhabi.
England’s captain, Ben Stokes, expressed his discontent with the situation, empathizing with Bashir’s predicament. Similarly, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, voiced his hope for a swift resolution to Bashir’s visa troubles.
While Bashir left to resolve his visa matter, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the expectation that British citizens, including Bashir, should be treated fairly by India’s visa processes. Fortunately, on the eve of the first Test, Bashir was granted the necessary visa to travel to India, marking a positive turn of events. He is anticipated to rejoin the team later this week.
The spokesperson said: “I can’t speak to the specifics of this case. But more broadly we have previously raised issues of this kind with the High Commission. We have been clear that we expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa processes. We have previously raised the issues British citizens with Pakistani heritage have experienced. We’ve raised the issues about their experience of applying for visas with the Indian High Commissioner in London.”
Bashir, who debuted for Somerset in a T20 game against arch-rivals Hampshire last June, quickly transitioned to first-class cricket, showcasing his potential. His notable height of 6 feet 4 inches played a pivotal role in Somerset’s T20 Blast victory last year. Despite the visa-related setbacks, England, on the brink of the first Test, finalized their playing XI, omitting seasoned pacer James Anderson while introducing debutant spinner Tom Hartley. England’s bowling strategy leans towards spin, with four spinners and one fast bowler, Mark Wood, making the cut.
Furthermore, the return of players like Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, and Jack Leach adds depth and experience to the team. This marks a significant development, especially considering their absence in the team’s previous Test against Australia at The Oval last summer. As the Test series unfolds, England’s lineup adjustments and Bashir’s inclusion promise an intriguing narrative for cricket enthusiasts.
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