'Slap on the face of English media' - Shoaib Bashir granted visa to travel to India
Published - 24 Jan 2024, 08:12 PM
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As per the Ministry of External Affairs, England cricketer Shoaib Bashir has been granted a visa after his return to the United Kingdom. Bashir was not able to join the England squad in India as there was a delay in his visa. It was learnt that it was Shoaib Bashir’s Pakistani origin due to which his visa application didn’t receive clearance rather than his other teammates.
The source from the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the visa was granted to Shoaib Bashir after he returned to the United Kingdom. There was a lot of outrage in the UK media and Bashir’s visa application got clearance when British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak got involved in the matter.
The source said, as quoted by the Indian Express, “There is a process in place and in line with that process, clearance was received earlier this week. Officials at the High Commission in London were in touch with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure that the player’s visa is issued to him immediately. However, the player travelled to Abu Dhabi. By the time he was reached out, he had returned to London. Now since he has submitted his passport today, his visa was issued so that he could join his team.”
Shoaib Bashir granted visa to travel to India
The England and Wales Cricket Board further confirmed the news and tweeted for the same on their official ‘X’ handle. The tweet read, “Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa, and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend. We’re glad the situation has now been resolved.”
Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa, and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend.
We’re glad the situation has now been resolved.#INDvENG | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/vTHdChIOIi
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2024
Shoaib Bashir’s visa application to travel to India was made back in December when the England squad was announced to tour India. However, the Somerset off-spinner had to stay in UAE whereas his other teammates received their visas well on time. Bashir had to return to the UK and it was believed that he would only get the visa once he presented himself at the Indian High Commission office in London.
However, another England spinner Rehan Ahmed was granted his visa well on time even after having Pakistani roots.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma was also asked about the same during the pre-match press conference in Hyderabad. Rohit stated that he feels for Bashir but he doesn’t sit in the visa office. England captain Ben Stokes also expressed his anger over the issue and believed that it is very frustrating for Bashir, as the squad was announced back in December.
India are scheduled to play a five-match Test series against England, which is set to start from January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. England have gone through intense training ahead of the series and will look forward to performing well in India.
