Shoaib Bashir granted visa to India tour but here’s why it was delayed

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, England spinner Shoaib Bashir finally has been granted a visa after his return to the UK. Bashir is unavailable to join the England squad in India for the first Test on Thursday because of a delay in his visa process.

It was learnt that it was 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 issued to Shoaib Bashir after he returned to the UK. There was a lot of outrage in the UK media and Bashir’s visa application got clearance when British PM Rishi Sunak got involved in the matter.

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The source said, “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 was 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.”

England’s Shoaib Bashir was granted visa to travel to India

The England Cricket Board (ECB) further confirmed the news and shared the same on their official ‘X’ handle. They wrote, “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

Bashir’s visa application to travel to India was made back in December 2023 when the England squad was announced to tour India. However, the spinner had to stay back in the UAE whereas his other teammates received their visas on time.

Bashir had to return to the UK and it was believed that he would only get the visa once he available himself at the Indian High Commission office in London.

However, another ENG pacer Rehan Ahmed was granted his visa well on time even after having Pakistani roots.
Team India’s 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 shared his anger over the issue and believed that it is very frustrating for Bashir, as the squad was announced back in December.

The five-match Test series between India and England will commence on January 25 at 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.

UK Government Urges India to Ensure Fairness in Visa Process Amid Shoaib Bashir’s Return Home