The five-Test series between India and England is yet to start but the controversy around uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir’s visa does not seem to be dying any soon. Bashir who is of Pakistan heritage did not receive his visa like other members of the England squad and hence could not travel to India ahead of the first Test in Hyderabad. The 20-year-old had to stay back in the UAE and eventually had to go back to London where he received his visa from Indian High Commission.
While all of this was happening, the English media took potshots at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government for racial profiling. An English daily went on to suggest that Ben Stokes should boycott the first Test in protest. The thought of not leaving UAE did cross Stokes’ mind but he was keen to play the series opener in Hyderabad.
On January 24 evening, the England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the Surrey-born cricketer would be travelling to India on the weekend and would be available for selection for the second Test.
Instead of playing the blame game, the English media should look at facts. ECB announced England's 16-member squad in December. Shortly after the announcement the visas were applied at the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom. Before boarding the flight for a training camp in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan-origin Bashir did not receive his papers.
ECB was under the impression that his passport could be stamped in the UAE which did not happen. During the camp, the ECB was unaware of the issue. It is still unclear who gave these assurances to the ECB.
To bring more clarity about the visa-issuing process for someone of Pakistan origin, the processing time can take from seven to eight weeks. In this case, Bashir’s visa process was fast-tracked. ECB should have asked him to stay back to get his passport stamped in the UK before flying to the UAE.
It is not the first time a player of Pakistani origin has arrived after the squad. Islamabad-born Australian opener Usman Khawaja was the last to arrive in India before the previous edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Last year, Pakistan’s entire squad was the last to arrive for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 due to the standard processing time.
Amidst widespread controversy, BCCI has stayed away as it is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which has sole discretion and consults the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before issuing visas. The approvals take longer when a person is from Pakistan heritage.
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