Shoaib Bashir Gets Indian Visa For England Tests While ECB's Goof-up Raises Eyebrows

Shoaib Bashir has finally secured his visa and is set to link up with the England squad in India by the weekend’s end, as declared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday evening. Despite being out of contention for the series-opening Test match in Hyderabad, starting Thursday, the uncapped Somerset spinner had to return to England from Abu Dhabi, where the team held a training camp, to complete visa formalities. This prompted cricket enthusiasts, particularly those from England, to question the efficiency of those handling the visa process.

But wait, did they wonder that the visa, initially applied for in the UK, be hand-delivered in the United Arab Emirates?

Nonetheless, the visa snag of the 20-year-old cricketer, hailing from a family steeped in Pakistani heritage, ballooned into a full-blown saga after a stern call for “fair” treatment from a British Government spokesperson, fuelled by the visible frustration of England captain Ben Stokes. Stokes, in a candid admission, confessed that the idea of jetting off to India without Bashir did flit across his mind.

“When I first found the news out in Abu Dhabi, I did say we shouldn’t fly until Bash gets his visa,” Stokes said in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“But that was a little bit tongue in cheek. I know it’s a way bigger thing than doing that. That was probably just emotions around the whole thing. I’m pretty devastated that Bash has had to go through this,” he added.

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An unnamed British government spokesperson further highlighted that citizens of Pakistani heritage facing delays in securing Indian visas wasn’t an isolated incident. “The specifics of this case are a matter for Shoaib Bashir and the Indian Government. But we absolutely expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa process.”

While this unfolded, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had something else to say, claiming they were led to believe that the passport stamping could occur in the UAE!

“We had assurances that it would be stamped in the UAE,” revealed an ECB official.

Naturally, this assertion raised eyebrows in Indian government circles and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). A retired Indian diplomat clarified that visa approvals are made on a case-by-case basis, with the Ministry of Home Affairs holding sole discretion.

While the BCCI remained silent, sources familiar with the developments emphasised that visas are typically issued in the country of application, not outside.

But amidst the ECB’s apparent missteps, the English populace, undeterred, delved into a bout of diplomatic drama, with complaints about the dynamics between India and Pakistan stealing the spotlight.

“Massive news. Bashir comes home. The Indian government has found a way of deciding who is and is not eligible to play for England in the First Test — based on their race. This is a huge moment,” proclaimed an English cricket pundit on the micro-blogging site ‘X’. Another chimed in, “I rather ask y it wasn’t stamped at worst they should have been told it was going to be a issue when he applied for it had they known it might take longer then they would of selected someone else so really it’s all on India tbh.”

Yet, as Sunil Gavaskar aptly noted, “In about three weeks another Test series starts with a country that has the biggest whingeing and moaning media in sport.” Indians, refusing to shoulder the blame without a retort, found an ally in renowned cricket commentator Aakash Chopra, who declared, “English cricket has a habit of invoking the ‘spirit’ whenever they are on the wrong side of the law.”

Voices rose, emphasising India’s innocence. A user highlighted the challenges faced by Indians applying for a UK Visa, declaring, “Just because you’re from a ‘White Country,’ you don’t get the privilege to enter here at will by flouting rules. India is no longer a British colony, and this isn’t the 1890s anymore.” Another user echoed the sentiment, saying, “That is why England flew him to the UAE despite knowing that his Indian visa wasn’t stamped. Bother to ask that to the ECB?”

And so, the clamor continued…until the England and Wales Cricket Board broke the silence with a tweet on its X (formerly Twitter) page on the eve of the first Test in Hyderabad. “Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend. We’re glad the situation has now been resolved.”

Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted for an exciting first innings. After a hiatus of about two and a half years, both teams returned to India with changes in captains and coaches, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama!