Venkatesh Prasad slams British media and blames ECB for Shoaib Bashir visa fiasco

Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad has slammed the British media for crying about the delay in issuing a visa to the young England spinner Shoaib Bashir. Bashir belongs to Pakistan origin and he had to return home after there was a delay in granting a visa to him. Bashir was part of England’s training session in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Test series against India.

‘The Telegraph’ shared an article written by its journalist Oliver Brown, that England should refuse to play the first Test all set to kickstart from January 25 in Hyderabad. However, Venkatesh Prasad slammed the English journalist and ‘The Telegraph’ and mentioned that it was ECB, who were at fault behind Shoaib Bashir not receiving a visa on time.

Venkatesh Prasad Tears Into ECB Over Shoaib Bashir’s Visa Issue

Venkatesh Prasad stated that Shoaib Bashir’s visa had to be stamped in the United Kingdom, but the England and Wales Cricket Board sent him to the United Arab Emirates and thought that the visa would be given in a third country. Prasad added it was the ECB who was at fault behind the whole scenario.

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Venkatesh Prasad wrote in his tweet, “His visa needed to be stamped in the UK. The ECB sent Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, thinking it would be stamped in a third country. Not following basic procedures , assuming things and then crying foul is an old English way. If anyone, it is the ECB at fault.”

His visa needed to be stamped in the UK. The ECB sent Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, thinking it would be stamped in a third country.
Not following basic procedures , assuming things and then crying foul is an old English way.
If anyone, it is the ECB at fault. https://t.co/Fw8tG0XsD8

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 24, 2024

However, the issue has been resolved and Shoaib Bashir has been granted the visa to travel to India and join the England squad. Bashir’s visa application was made back in December 2023, when England had announced their squad for India. It is believed that Bashir’s roots in Pakistan became the main reason behind the non-clearance of his visa application. There was a lot of rage in the British media over this issue.

However, it is believed that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped into the matter due to which at last Shoaib Bashir was granted a visa. Another member of the England squad, Rehan Ahmed also belonged to Pakistani origin but he was granted a visa on time.

England are the only side to defeat India in India in a Test series in the last 12 years. However, their last India tours have not been as promising as they should have been. England faced humiliating defeats in the last two Indian tours and will be aiming to perform well in the series.

India, on the other hand, are once again favorites to win the series due to their lethal spin attack. England’s struggle against spin has also been a major reason behind India being ahead before the start of the series.