‘It was a bit of a hassle’ – England spinner Shoaib Bashir speaks about Visa Issue

England debutant Shoaib Bashir, who faced a “slight hassle” due to a visa delay for the India tour, is now basking in the glory of claiming Rohit Sharma as his first Test wicket. The 20-year-old off-spinner, of Pakistani heritage, couldn’t initially join the squad in Hyderabad from Abu Dhabi, but he eventually made it to witness a memorable win in the Hyderabad Test.

Standing tall at 6’4, Bashir showcased his skills on the field, proving why skipper Ben Stokes selected him after viewing a social media clip of his bowling. Despite playing only six first-class games before this opportunity, Bashir emerged as England’s best spinner on the opening day, securing figures of two for 100 in 28 overs and bowling the most in the innings.

Reflecting on the visa delay, Bashir had to make a detour to England from Abu Dhabi to resolve the issue before heading to India. Stokes expressed his initial devastation and considered staying back in Abu Dhabi until the matter was resolved. However, Bashir, always confident about obtaining the visa, assured, “No doubts at all; I always knew I would get the visa.”

Shoaib Bashir made a blistering debut against India

Downplaying the inconvenience, Bashir maintained a relaxed demeanour, appreciating the support from the England and India cricket boards for swiftly resolving the matter. “It was a bit of a hassle, but we’re here now; I’ve made my debut, and that’s all that matters,” he said, expressing gratitude for the quick resolution by the ECB and the Indian Cricket Board.

Bashir’s journey, from a visa hiccup to making a significant impact in his debut Test, highlights the resilience and composure of the young cricketer. As he revels in the joy of claiming a prized wicket, the visa delay becomes a mere footnote in the story of his remarkable entry into international cricket.