Shoaib Bashir, a young off-spinner, had a disappointing build-up to what could have been his Test debut for England against India.
He was unable to go with the rest of his squad owing to visa complications.
The 20-year-old was part of England’s training camp in the UAE but had to return to the UK to complete visa papers when the rest of the team landed in India.
The delay in Shoaib Bashir’s visa has sparked widespread criticism of India’s policy against persons of Pakistani descent, particularly from the Western media.
Here’s what a few current and past cricketers have said about the controversy:
No.5: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra felt sorry for Shoaib Bashir and hoped that the young spinner would come to India soon to make his Test debut.
In a video on his YouTube account, the former opener said the following:
Hopefully, Bashir will receive his visa shortly. The unfortunate guy is stranded in the UAE. He’s a youthful spinner.
Chopra did, however, make a playful jab at the English media for criticising the Indian government’s immigration requirements. Here’s what he wrote about X:
When English cricketers get into trouble, they frequently invoke the’spirit’.
The ECB announced on Wednesday that Bashir had obtained his visa and will shortly fly to India for the Test series.
No.4: Venkatesh Prasad
Venkatesh Prasad, a former Indian pacer, has developed a reputation on social media for being outspoken about his opinions.
He turned to X and highlighted a Telegraph article, stating that the ECB’s failure caused Shoaib Bashir’s visa to arrive late.
His visa has to be stamped in the UK. The ECB dispatched Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, believing he would be stamped in a third nation.
It is an old English tradition to ignore fundamental processes, make assumptions, and then complain.
If anyone is to blame, it is the European Central Bank.
Prasad further remarked that the English media had a propensity of criticising everything that did not go their way.
No.3: Michael Vaughan
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was furious with how Shoaib Bashir’s case was handled.
He couldn’t believe that, despite the squad being revealed in early December, the visa problem had not been resolved.
I believe it’s absurd. The squad was revealed on December 11th. This is a young man who has been chosen to represent his nation for the first time.
He bowls well in Abu Dhabi, but on the day the aircraft leaves for India, he is told,’Sorry, you can’t get on’.
You’ve got this young boy who now needs to travel back to the UK to clear things out.
Vaughan feels it would have been difficult for the child to watch his teammates board the plane to India while he had to return to the UK.
No.2: Ben Stokes
England skipper Ben Stokes expressed his unhappiness about not having Shoaib Bashir available for the first Test.
While the team was fully supportive of the young off-spinner, Stokes knew what the 20-year-old was going through.
I find it annoying that we’ve chosen a player yet he’s not among us due to visa concerns. I feel terrible for him, especially because he is so young.
It’s a tough situation to be in, but a lot of people have been trying to make it through.
Stokes also claimed that he had sarcastically recommended that the England squad not fly from the UAE to India until Bashir had his visa.
However, he then underlined that England will always arrive on schedule for the marquee series.
No.1: Rohit Sharma
Indian captain Rohit Sharma is known for his one-liners during press conferences, and he delivered another one when questioned about Shoaib Bashir’s visa problem.
Although he realised how difficult it must have been for the boy, Rohit cheekily argued that he did not work in the immigration office to provide a clear picture of what occurred.
Bashir, I genuinely feel for him. This is most likely his first appearance with the England squad. It is not simple for anyone.
It may be one of our men who wanted to travel to England but was refused and is unable to obtain a visa.
Unfortunately, I do not sit at the visa office and cannot provide you with more information.
With Shoaib Bashir unavailable, England’s only spin options for the first Test are Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed, and Tom Hartley.
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