IND vs ENG: Eanglands spinner Shoaib Bashir on Wednesday, received his Visa after days long trouble. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that the 20-year-old spinner is expected to join the Ben Stokes-led contingent by the end of this weekend. However, the uncapped spinner of Somerset was not available for selection for the series opening clash of five-match Test series in Hyderabad. The game is scheduled to commence on Thursday.Bashir flew back to the UK from Abu Dhabi, where Englands squad had been training to fight India in familiar sub-continental conditions. He went home to complete the necessary formalities to get his visa approval.Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa, and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend.Were glad the situation has now been resolved.#INDvENG | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/vTHdChIOIi— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2024The England and Wales Cricket Board posted on microblogging platform X, Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend. Were glad the situation has now been resolved.Politics around Shoaib Bashirs visa issue Moreover, a British Government spokesperson demanded fair treatment for the spinner. Reportedly, the visa delay of the 20-year-old cricketer is due to his family holds roots in Pakistan.ESPNcricinfo quoted, The specifics of this case are a matter for Shoaib Bashir and the Indian Government. But we absolutely expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa process. We have previously raised the issues British citizens with Pakistani heritage experience applying for visas with the Indian High Commission in London, he said.Ben Stokes supports Shoaib BashirEarlier, In the pre-match press conference, Englands skipper Ben Stokes said, When I first found the news out in Abu Dhabi, I did say we shouldnt fly until Bash gets his visa. But that was a little bit tongue in cheek. I know its a way bigger thing than doing that. That was probably just emotions around the whole thing. Im pretty devastated that Bash has had to go through this, he added.As a leader and a captain, when one of your teammates is affected by something like that, you get a bit emotional. I know hes back in London and a lot of people are jumping through hoops to try and get this through quicker. Bash knows hes had our full support.What did Rohit Sharma say on Shoaib Bashirs visa issueMeanwhile, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed his view in the pre-match press conference and hoped that Bashir would be seen in action pretty soon.I feel for him. He is coming, I think, for the first time. Unfortunately, I dont sit in the visa office to make the decision. Hopefully, he will make it here soon, Rohit said. Previous concernsEarlier, Cricketer form Pakistani origin, Australian opener Usman Khawaja faced a similar situation when he arrived late for the Test series in the sub-continent, last year.
