Shoaib Bashir, the uncapped England spinner, has been ruled out of the opening Test against India following a visa delay on Wednesday.
Bashir, who is of Pakistani heritage, travelled with the squad to Abu Dhabi, where England trained before the team arrived in India for the five-test series beginning in Hyderabad on Thursday.
However, according to the reports, the Somerset spinner returned home to sort out his visa issues.
The England squad was announced in December, and there was ample time for visa processing. this has sparked outrage in the United Kingdom, and the British media has come down heavily on the development.
“England should refuse to play in first Test after India’s shameless Shoaib Bashir stunt” – read the headline in The Telegraph.
“India block England spinner from entering country on eve of Test series. On behalf of cricket fans, mail sport say… How Dare You” – said the headline in The Daily Mail.
“Shoaib Bashir returning to the UK amid visa stink is a damning reflection of the state of the game” – wrote the cricketer.
“England livid with India as Shoaib Bashir forced to fly home and miss 1st Test” – wrote inews.
“Shoaib Bashir flies back to England and ruled out of first Test by India visa delay” – wrote The Guardian.
“Shoaib Bashir back in England after Indian visa issue leaving Ben Stokes ‘frustrated’ – said Sky News.
“NOT CRICKET India branded a ‘disgrace’ after forcing England spinner Shoaib Bashir to fly home on eve of first Test” – wrote The Sun.
England captain Ben Stokes vented his frustration on the ongoing delay with Bashir’s visa application and said, “I find it particularly frustrating.”
“We announced the squad in mid-December, and now ‘Bash’ finds himself without a visa to get here.
“I am more frustrated for him. 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. I feel for him.”
People of Pakistani origin are required to submit additional details for obtaining an Indian visa, according to the website of the Indian High Commission in London. Australia’s Pakistan-born opener Usman Khawaja faced a similar visa delay ahead of their tour of India last year.