Shoaib Bashir returns to UK to resolve visa issues

Thursday, 25 January 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Spinner Shoaib Bashir has returned to the UK in order to sort the visa delay which is preventing him from joining the England squad in India.

The uncapped 20-year-old, who is of Pakistani descent, was initially left in Abu Dhabi when the rest of the team travelled on Sunday.

The Somerset off-spinner is still to receive the visa and will not be in India until at least the weekend.

Bashir will miss the first Test in Hyderabad, beginning on Thursday.

“I find it particularly frustrating,” said England captain Ben Stokes. “We announced the squad in mid-December, and now Bash finds himself without a visa to get here.

“I am more frustrated for him. 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. I feel for him.”

India have not played any bilateral cricket against Pakistan since 2013 because of political tensions between the two countries.

Bashir, a surprise inclusion in the England Test squad after playing only six first-class matches, is not the first cricketer with links to Pakistan to struggle to gain access to India.

Australia opener Usman Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan, had his arrival for a Test tour last year delayed, while the entire Pakistan squad for last year’s World Cup in India faced similar delays.