On the eve of their highly anticipated five-match series in India, the England Test team finds itself entangled in a diplomatic row. Shoaib Bashir, a 20-year-old British Muslim rookie of Pakistani heritage, has been denied his debut in Hyderabad due to unresolved visa complications, compelling him to return to the United Kingdom.

While the English side faces the formidable challenge of winning a series in India, a feat last achieved in 2012, Bashir’s visa delay has shifted the spotlight from sporting matters to off-field controversy, diverting Ben Stokes’ attention away from the game.

Bashir, an unexpected selection in England’s 16-man squad, had an outside chance of participating in the opening encounter of the winter series. However, bureaucratic delays in India have left Bashir in limbo for over six weeks. Meanwhile, Tom Hartley, another uncapped spinner in England’s squad, is set to seize the opportunity in Hyderabad, leaving Bashir to watch from the UK, where his British passport was issued.

Shoaib Bashir’s introduction to the cricketing world raised eyebrows when England captain Stokes included him in the touring party. The Somerset player, with a limited first-class record, made a swift rise from Australian club cricket to catching the eye during the Lions’ tour of the United Arab Emirates in late 2023. Coached by Andrew Flintoff and Graeme Swann, Bashir’s promising performance earned him a Test call-up.

Bashir’s visa denial is not an isolated incident in cricket, with players of Pakistani heritage facing similar delays in recent years. The strained relationship between India and Pakistan has often been cited as a factor in these situations, prompting concerns about the influence of political matters on the sporting realm.

As Bashir awaits a resolution in London, he hopes to join his teammates in time for the second Test in Visakhapatnam on February 2. While there’s no guarantee of his inclusion in the playing XI, England’s strategic choice of Mark Wood as the lone seamer in the opening match suggests Bashir could feature in the series soon.

The situation has drawn sympathy from the cricketing community, with Stokes expressing his devastation at Bashir’s ordeal. The England captain acknowledged the support extended to Bashir and hoped for a swift resolution to bring him back to the team. India Test captain Rohit Sharma also empathised with Bashir, highlighting the challenges faced by anyone denied entry due to visa issues.

The matter has garnered attention at the political level, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasising the expectation of fair treatment for British citizens in India’s visa processes. Downing Street has previously raised concerns about the experiences of British citizens with Pakistani heritage applying for visas in discussions with the Indian High Commissioner in London.