England debated not flying till Bashir’s visa issues mounted

England captain Ben Stokes floated the concept of not flying to India till Shoaib Bashir’s visa issues have been resolved however admitted there was “by no means an opportunity” of placing the primary Take a look at in danger.

Bashir, a British Muslim with Pakistani heritage, was dominated out of rivalry for a Take a look at debut in Hyderabad on Thursday on account of delays along with his utility.

The 20-year-old was in the end pressured to fly residence from Abu Dhabi, the place England held a pre-series coaching camp, after his team-mates travelled on to India.

Stokes’ on the spot response when he came upon the Somerset spinner had turn out to be the most recent participant of Pakistani descent to expertise hold-ups coming into India was for the squad to stay with him in a present of solidarity.

The notion didn’t final lengthy, with the tight flip round successfully which means the sport must be postponed, however mirrored Stokes’ clear disgruntlement on the therapy of a younger colleague.

“After I first discovered the information out in Abu Dhabi, I did say we shouldn’t fly till Bash will get his visa however that was somewhat bit tongue in cheek,” he stated at his pre-match press convention.

“I do know it’s a approach greater factor, doing that. That was most likely simply (my) feelings round the entire thing. There was by no means an opportunity that we weren’t going to journey round this however Bash is aware of he’s had our full help.

“I’m fairly devastated that Bash has needed to undergo this. As a frontrunner, as a captain, when considered one of your team-mates is affected by one thing like that you just do get a bit emotional.

“I do know he’s again in London and lots of people are leaping via hoops to attempt to get this via faster. Hopefully we’re going to see him right here over the weekend.”

India captain Rohit Sharma expressed sympathy for Bashir, who has been thrust into the highlight and compelled to fly nearly 10,000 further miles to safe the paperwork different gamers acquired as a matter after all.

“I really feel for him actually,” stated Sharma.

“Sadly I don’t sit within the visa workplace to offer you extra particulars on that however hopefully he could make it rapidly, take pleasure in our nation and performs some cricket as nicely.

“It’s not straightforward for anybody, it could possibly be considered one of our guys wanting to come back to England and being denied.”

Lancashire’s Saqib Mahmood, whose mother and father hail from Pakistan, needed to be withdrawn from an England Lions tour of India in 2019 after comparable delays, whereas Australia opener Usman Khawaja was a late arrival on his nation’s Take a look at journey in 2023.

Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board wrote to the Worldwide Cricket Council late final yr on account of categorical issues over ready occasions for World Cup visas.

England had referred to as for help from counterparts on the Board of Management for Cricket in India, with new operations supervisor Stuart Hooper main negotiations within the United Arab Emirates, however have been knowledgeable that Bashir wanted to current his passport in particular person on the Indian excessive fee in London.

For unique tales and all of the detailed cricket information you want, subscribe to The Cricket Paper web site from as little as 14p a day.