“I find it particularly frustrating” – Ben Stokes opens up on Shoaib Bashir not getting visa for India Test tour.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed his disappointment regarding the delayed visa process for Shoaib Bashir, which has unfortunately led to his exclusion from the opening Test against India. Stokes conveyed his frustration over the visa complications, especially considering that the squad announcement had taken place in mid-December.
The 20-year-old emerging spinner was compelled to return to England to address the visa issues, causing him to miss the scheduled departure to India with the rest of the team on Sunday. Unfortunately, he found himself stranded in the UAE alongside England’s director of cricket operations.
During a press conference, Stokes expressed his sympathy for Bashir, highlighting the unfortunate nature of this being the young cricketer’s inaugural experience with the national team. The 32-year-old captain elaborated on the situation, emphasizing the impact of Bashir’s absence on the team dynamics.
Stokes said “I didn’t want this type of situation to be his [Shoaib Bashir] first experience of what it’s like to be in the England Test team. Especially for a young lad, I’m devastated for him. As captain I find it particularly frustrating. We announced the squad in mid-December and now Bash finds himself without a visa to get here. He’s not the first cricketer to go through this. I find it frustrating that we have picked a player and he’s not with us because of visa issues.”
Shoaib Bashir, a 20-year-old spinner hailing from Surrey, is one of the four spinners chosen for the tour, yet he remains uncapped at the international level. Despite his limited experience, having played only six first-class matches and securing 10 wickets, his selection underscores the team’s confidence in his potential.