• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Expect India To Treat British Citizens Fairly Eng Gov Slams India For Shoaib Bashirs Visa Issue

‘Expect India To Treat British Citizens Fairly' - ENG Gov. Slams India For Shoaib Bashir's Visa Issue

image-lrrp52bgShoaib Bashir (Image Source: Twitter)

Shoaib Bashir has gone back to his home in London from Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday. The England spinner wasn't allowed to travel with the rest of the England squad to India for the five-match Test series due to visa issues. 

Bashir is part of England’s squad for the five-match Test series, however, he was the only member who wasn’t allowed to travel to India from the training camp held in UAE. 

The 20-year old spinner is of Pakistan heritage, which is, perhaps, the reason behind his significant delay over his visa application. The England government has now hits back on India to treating all the citizens fairy at all times in its visa process. 

"I can't speak to the specifics of this case. But more broadly we have previously raised issues of this kind with the High Commission. We have been clear that we expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa processes.” a British government spokesperson said, as quoted by the BBC.”


“We have previously raised the issues British citizens with Pakistani heritage have experienced. We've raised the issues about their experience of applying for visas with the Indian High Commissioner in London." 

Notably, this isn’t the first time when a Pakistan heritage cricketer has faced delays over his arrival due to visa issues. Cricketers such as Moeen Ali, Usman Khawaja etc. have also dealt with same problem in the past. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has assured England Cricket that the matter will be resolved at the soonest. However, there hasn’t been a great development, as of now. Additionally, Bashir has been ruled out of the first Test match against India, which begins on Thursday

England announce playing XI for First Test against India 

Meanwhile, the England team have announced their playing XI for the first Test match against India, scheduled to be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Notably, senior pacer, James Anderson hasn’t been included in the eleven as England opted to go with three front-line spinners. 

It’s quite clear that England are expecting the pitch to be a rank-turner. Jack Leach will be shouldering the spin responsibilities with the likes of Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley. The latter is set to makes his England debut on Thursday. 

Here’s a look at England’s complete playing XI for the first Test against India: 

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (capt), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach