Hyderabad, In a pre-match press conference today, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma delved into the intricacies surrounding England spinner Shoaib Bashir’s unexpected return home due to visa delays. The 20-year-old off-spinner, originally part of the squad in Abu Dhabi, now faces the unfortunate reality of missing the inaugural Test against India, scheduled to commence on January 25.
Expressing genuine empathy, Sharma shared, “I feel for him. It’s not easy for anyone. If it were one of our guys going to England, and the visa was denied, it would be the same.” The captain, however, clarified his limited involvement in visa matters, stating, “Unfortunately, I don’t sit in the visa office to give more details on that.”
The situation echoes a past incident involving Australian opener Usman Khawaja, who also encountered visa delays before a Test series in India last year. Bashir, with Pakistani heritage, awaits the much-anticipated visa approval from the Indian High Commission in London.
England captain Ben Stokes, visibly frustrated, labeled Bashir’s absence as ‘devastating.’ The young spinner’s untimely setback stirred emotions in the camp, prompting Stokes to express his frustration, “As captain, I find it particularly frustrating.”
Efforts to expedite the visa process were made by Stuart Hooper, the Managing Director (Operations) of the England and Wales Cricket Board, during his presence in the UAE. Despite concerted attempts, Bashir’s visa issues persist, leaving the England camp grappling with an unexpected setback.
Stokes further emphasized the collective frustration, stating, “I find it frustrating that we have picked a player, and he’s not with us because of visa issues. It’s a frustrating situation to be in, but a lot of people have been trying to get it through.”
As the cricketing community anxiously awaits Bashir’s visa approval, Sharma concluded his remarks by expressing hope for the young spinner’s swift entry to India. He extended wishes for Bashir to enjoy his time in the country and resume playing cricket soon. The unfolding narrative highlights the challenges faced by international players amidst visa intricacies, adding a layer of complexity to the dynamics of global cricketing engagements.
