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Shoaib Bashir Finally Joins ENG Squad In Hyderabad After Major Delayed Visa Fiasco

image-lrx5b374Shoaib Bashir (X.com)

England’s promising youngster Shoaib Bashir has finally rejoined the English squad in Hyderabad after his visa was initially delayed, which led to his absence from the series opener Test vs India.

Shoaib Bashir of Pakistan heritage, was ruled out from the first Test against India in Hyderabad after his visa wasn’t granted in time. Apparently, ECB alleged discrimination as everybody’s visa was approved duly except for Bashir.

Apparently, Bashir and the entire England squad participated in a pre-series camp in the UAE. Their visa applications were handled by the ECB. However, due to Bashir’s cultural background, he was asked to get his visa stamped in person at the Indian High Commission in London. 

Thus, the bowler had to travel back to his home country and was subsequently ruled out from the first Test against India.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir’s exclusion caused massive controversy and drew strong reactions from skipper Ben Stokes and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Stokes apparently mulled to pull out from the Hyderabad Test until Bashir’s visa issues were resolved.

The media back in the UK turned it into a religious and cultural debate, and the entire incident was blown out of proportion. 

However, the Indian high commission pleaded innocence, saying Bashir had been informed well in advance that he would be required to visit the office to get his visa stamped. 

That being said, the young cricketer’s legal fiasco has been resolved, and he subsequently traveled to India on Sunday. As per latest visuals, Shoaib Bashir rejoined the England squad in Hyderabad on Sunday, and Dan Lawrence, a replacement for Harry Brook, accompanied him on this first trip to India. 

With that, England finally has a full 16-member squad at their helm. However, the trouble will keep mounting as Jack Leach is down with a sore knee and might be unable to last till the end of the extensive five-game Test series.