India and BCCI slammed as England's Pakistan-origin spinner Shoaib Bashir left stranded in UAE over visa issues

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England 20-year-old spinner Shoaib Bashir has been left stranded in the UAE over some visa issues. The ECB has got in touch with the BCCI and the Indian government to help Bashir, whose parents are from Pakistan, join the England Test squad in India at the earliest.

The England team has started their preparation for the first Test in Hyderabad from January 25, without the uncapped player who was a surprise pick for the 5-Test series.

Bashir is in the UAE with Stuart Hooper, England's newly-appointed managing director of cricket operations. The off-spinner was part of England's training camp in Abu Dhabi from where the remaining squad travelled to India on Sunday.

"Bash will join us hopefully tomorrow as well. He's got a couple of issues with his visa coming through. We're confident on the back of the help from the BCCI and the Indian government that will sort itself out pretty quickly as well," England head coach Brendon McCullum said.

"Things take time, don't they? Everyone is doing what they can. It's a process we need to go through. We're pretty confident that we're close. The time that Bash had with the squad over in Abu Dhabi, where he fitted in seamlessly, will serve him greatly.

"We've also got a little bit of support out there for him so he's not on his own. We're hoping the news will come through today that his visa has been approved, then we'll get him to sink his teeth into this series," he added.

However, a section of fans and sports journalists from Pakistan, England and Australia have slammed India and BCCI Bashir's delay. They have highlighted the similar issue Pakistan-born Australian opener Usman Khawaja faced during the 2023 Test tour of India. The southpaw's visa was issued late during his first tour of India in 2017 as well.

"India's petty muscle-flexing to block England's young Muslim spinner Shoaib Bashir from entering the country," UK tabloid newspaper Daily Mail has written.

Bashir, who plays for Somerset, has picked just 10 wickets in six first-class matches at an average of 67. However, he has been picked in the squad for his high release point and ability to spin the ball sharply.