The saga surrounding England spinner Shoaib Bashir’s visa woes took a new turn as former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad pointed the finger of blame squarely at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Bashir, set to make his Test debut against India, was forced to return to the UK due to visa delays, despite applying well in advance.
Bashir’s situation sparked outrage within the English camp, with captain Ben Stokes expressing his devastation and questioning the practicality of selecting a player who couldn’t join the team. The ECB, facing mounting pressure and accusations of mismanagement from England fans, initially hoped to resolve the issue in Abu Dhabi during a pre-series camp. However, this failed to materialize, and Shoaib Bashir was sent back for further paperwork.
While Indian captain Rohit Sharma offered sympathy to Shoaib Bashir, hoping for a swift resolution, Prasad took a more critical stance. He lambasted the ECB for its handling of the situation, calling it an “old English way” to ignore basic procedures, make assumptions, and then cry foul.
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“His visa needed to be stamped in the UK,” Prasad stated. “The ECB sent Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, thinking it would get done in a third country. Not following basic procedures, assuming things and then crying foul is an old English way. If anyone, it is the ECB at fault.”
His visa needed to be stamped in the UK. The ECB sent Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, thinking it would be stamped in a third country.
Not following basic procedures , assuming things and then crying foul is an old English way.
If anyone, it is the ECB at fault. https://t.co/Fw8tG0XsD8— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 24, 2024
Prasad’s scathing remarks highlighted the ECB’s apparent failure to anticipate potential visa hurdles and take necessary precautions. Sending Bashir to a third country without ensuring a smooth visa process appears to be a major oversight, leaving the young spinner in limbo and disrupting England’s plans.
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The ECB is now scrambling to get Shoaib Bashir to India before the second Test in Vizag, starting February 2nd. However, the damage is done, and the incident has cast a shadow over the much-anticipated series.
The blame game may continue, but ultimately, it’s Bashir who is bearing the brunt of this unfortunate situation. His debut dream hangs in the balance, and it’s the ECB’s responsibility to ensure he gets his chance on the field as soon as possible.
