NEW DELHI:
England
's preparations for the upcoming five-Test series against India have been marred by the
visa issues
faced by rookie off-spinner
Shoaib Bashir
.
The 20-year-old player, of Pakistani heritage, has been delayed in joining the squad due to pending visa approval, forcing him to return home from the team's training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Bashir, a surprise inclusion in the squad with limited first-class experience, was not in contention for a spot in the opening Test.
England captain
Ben Stokes
expressed his disappointment over the situation, stating, "I didn't want this type of situation to be his first experience of what it's like to be in the
England Test team
, especially for a young lad. I'm devastated for him."
Stokes, frustrated as captain, mentioned the challenges faced by players in the past with similar visa issues. He highlighted the timing of the situation, noting that the squad was announced in mid-December, and Bashir now finds himself without a visa to join the team.
"It's a frustrating situation to be in, but a lot of people have been trying to get it through," Stokes added.
While Bashir is expected to receive approval from the
Indian High Commission
in London, the delay has raised concerns about the smooth functioning of the team's preparations for the series.
The
England and Wales Cricket Board
's efforts, including the presence of Stuart Hooper in the UAE to expedite the process, have not yielded the desired result.
This incident follows a trend where players of Pakistani origin have faced challenges in obtaining visas for tours to India, highlighting the complexities and delays in the visa application process.
(With inputs from PTI)
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