India branded a ‘disgrace’ after forcing England spinner Shoaib Bashir to fly home on eve of first Test
INDIA was branded a “disgrace” last night after forcing rooky England spinner Shoaib Bashir to fly home on the eve of the first Test.
The Surrey-born talent, 20, who has roots in Pakistan, found himself grounded in Abu Dhabi while his team flew off to India earlier this week due to issues with his approval for travel.
The visa hiccup effectively ruled the uncapped spinner out of Thursday’s first Test against India in Hyderabad.
It is thought his Pakistani heritage is behind the difficulty in securing the visa – prompting a stern rebuke from Downing Street.
No10 said cricket-mad PM Rishi Sunak expects India to treat British citizens “fairly at all times”.
Bashir is the only member of England’s touring party, including travelling officials and media, who has had trouble securing a visa.
Skipper Ben Stokes said he was “devastated” for the “young lad”, adding: “I didn’t want this type of situation to be his first experience of what it’s like to be in the England Test team.”
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Last night Tom Hunt, the Vice Chairmen of Parliament’s All Party Group for Cricket, branded the delays “a disgrace.”
The Ipswich MP added: “The most exciting young spinner in world cricket has been left languishing at border control – they were obviously terrified.”
Other cricketers with Pakistani backgrounds have had trouble entering India in the past.
It is understood Bashir was told he needed to return to London with his passport to receive the correct approval at the Indian embassy.
It is hoped he will be reunited with the squad at some point over the weekend.