Shoaib Bashir's Visa Issue Resolved; Likely To Feature in IND vs ENG 2nd Test
England's Shoaib Bashir (Twitter)
In a dramatic turn of events, the visa woes for England's young spinner, Shoaib Bashir, seem to be nearing a resolution just in time for the second Test of the much-anticipated series against India. Born in Surrey to parents of Pakistani heritage, the 20-year-old spinner faced delays in obtaining his Indian visa, preventing him from joining the squad in Hyderabad for the first Test.
The latest reports from The Telegraph suggest that Shoaib Bashir's visa has been approved, marking a crucial step forward. However, the spinner now faces the task of getting the visa stamped into his passport at the Indian High Commission in the UK. The developments come after Bashir's absence disrupted England's preparations, with the young talent stranded in Abu Dhabi while the rest of the team conducted their 12-day training camp.
This visa hiccup is not unprecedented for players of Pakistani descent, with previous instances involving Australia's Usman Khawaja and England's Rehan Ahmed. England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, expressed frustration over the situation, describing it as beyond the team's control.
With Bashir's visa seemingly on track for resolution, England can breathe a sigh of relief as they gear up for the second Test. The spinner's potential inclusion in the playing XI could add a new dynamic to the team's strategy, provided the visa stamping process is completed in time.
 "Muskaan Bhatt")
