Shoaib Bashir visa controversy | UK urges India for fair treatment!

UK appeals for Shoaib Bashir’s visa

In a diplomatic appeal, the UK government emphasized the importance of treating British citizens “fairly” in UK visa processes. This was due to the delayed arrival of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir for the upcoming five-match Test series in India. Bashir, a 20-year-old cricketer representing Somerset in the English county, faced travel document issues due to a delay in Shoaib Bashir visa process, hindering his timely entry into the country.

Heritage concerns

The cricketer, accompanying the England squad in Abu Dhabi, could not proceed to India as his visa hadn’t been granted. Bashir, belonging to a family of Pakistani heritage, encountered complications in the visa approval process. The concerns regarding the challenges faced by British citizens with Pakistani heritage in the Indian visa application process have been previously raised with the Indian High Commission in London.

Stokes “Devastated” over Shoaib Bashir visa setback

England captain Ben Stokes revealed that he was “devastated” by the visa issues, which led to Bashir returning home from the team’s training base in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, Bashir was a surprise inclusion in the squad with only 10 wickets from six first-class games,. He was not in contention for a place in the opening Test starting Thursday. 

Bashir’s Swift Return

Stokes discussed the ongoing visa predicament involving cricketer Shoaib Bashir. Stokes conveyed the team’s sentiments on the matter. Providing an update on Bashir’s current status, Stokes remarked, “He’s back in London now. So, hopefully, we’re going to see him back in India over the weekend.” Expressing the team’s perplexity, Stokes highlighted the significant timeline gap, saying, “The squad was announced in mid-December, and now, it’s January 24, and we still don’t have a reason for Shoaib’s absence here…hopefully, we can get over, and he can also just concentrate on the rest of his tour.”

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Study Abroad Expert

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