PAK-Origin Shoaib Bashir Returns Home; Ruled Out Of 1st Test Due To Visa Concerns
Shoaib Bashir will miss first Test [X.com]
In what could derail England's chances in the soon-to-start five-Test series against India, young spinner Shoaib Bashir has been ruled out of the first encounter starting tomorrow in Hyderabad.
After a delay in his arrival in India due to visa issues, the 20-year-old has now returned to the United Kingdom after being picked for his maiden England Test tour. This is not the first time that a Pakistani-descent player has faced issues regarding a visa and been caught in red tape.
Australia's Usman Khawaja and fellow Englishmen Rehan Ahmed too had faced similar visa issues on earlier tours.
England's Test captain Ben Stokes describes the fiasco as beyond 'frustrated', which has tossed all Three Lions plans for the India visit.
“I am devastated for him. Especially for a young lad, it’s a frustrating situation.”
Bashir is expected to rejoin the England squad over the weekend, which could see the player feature in the second Test at Visakhapatnam next month. The spinner impressed England's support staff, and think tank during the England Lions preparatory camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Bashir, who plays for Somerset Cricket County Club (SCCC), has appeared in six First-Class (FC) matches, seven List-A and five T20s, claiming 10, three, and four wickets, respectively.
As per several reports, England could possibly field as many as three spinners in the playing XI for the Hyderabad Test, with Mark Wood being the lone pacer.
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