The diplomatic dynamics of Shoaib Bashir's visa situation

 

                                                                      Live News Click Here

Shoaib Bashir has finally secured his visa and is set to link up with the England squad in India by the weekend’s end, as declared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday evening. Despite being out of contention for the series-opening Test match in Hyderabad, starting Thursday, the uncapped Somerset spinner had to return to England from Abu Dhabi, where the team held a training camp, to complete visa formalities. This prompted cricket enthusiasts, particularly those from England, to question the efficiency of those handling the visa process.

Usman Khawaja faced travel delays due to his Pakistani roots. Pakistan players bound for the World Cup in India last year experienced last-minute clearance hurdles. These diplomatic dynamics between India and Pakistan, right or wrong, have come to be accepted by the global community.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) applied for visas, including Bashir's, at the Indian High Commission in the UK after naming the squad in December. Owing to his Pakistani origin, the 20-year-old spinner did not receive his papers in time for the pre-tour offshore camp in Abu Dhabi.

The ECB claims they were led to believe that the passport stamping could happen in the UAE. "We had assurances that it would be stamped in the UAE," an ECB official stated. However, this claim is met with skepticism by some in the Indian government, diplomatic circles, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

A recently retired Indian diplomat who spoke to Cricbuzz, clarified that while Indian embassies issue visas, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sole discretion, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is consulted. Visa approvals are made on a case-by-case basis, with reasons for decisions not disclosed publicly, more so if it is a case of Pakistani heritage.

The BCCI has stayed away from the controversy but those conversant with the developments say Visas are generally issued in the country where applied, not outside. "There are rules and regulations governing the issuance of an Indian visa. The same were being applied in this case," the BBC reported, quoting India's foreign office. This website reached out to the Indian High Commission in the UK.

Eventually, the player had to leave for the UK from the UAE to get the stamping done. "Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa, and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend. We're glad the situation has now been resolved," a spokesman for the ECB said in a statement on Wednesday.

Before the matter was eventually resolved, there was tempest in teapot with Ben Stokes admitting that an idea of a boycott crossed his mind briefly. "When I first found the news out in Abu Dhabi, I did say we shouldn't fly until Bash gets his visa but that was a little bit tongue in cheek," the England captain was quoted as saying in the UK media. 

                                                   Today Match Live  

Shoaib Bashir has finally received his visa papers but those who handled the process could, perhaps, have executed the matter more effectively, especially considering the numerous precedents of cricketers of Pakistan origin travelling to India. Instead, they expected the visa, initially applied for in the UK, to be hand-delivered in the United Arab Emirates. 

Rohit Sharma too had a say in the matter. "I feel for Shoaib Bashir. Unfortunately, I don't sit in the Visa office to give you more details, but I hope he gets it quickly and enjoys our country," the India skipper said in Hyderabad on the eve of the first of the five-Test series. England named three spinners in its XI for the Test and those who know English cricket well say the Somerset spinner was never in contention

                                                                       Live Match Today

Naturally, this assertion raised eyebrows in Indian government circles and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). A retired Indian diplomat clarified that visa approvals are made on a case-by-case basis, with the Ministry of Home Affairs holding sole discretion.

While the BCCI remained silent, sources familiar with the developments emphasised that visas are typically issued in the country of application, not outside.

But amidst the ECB’s apparent missteps, the English populace, undeterred, delved into a bout of diplomatic drama, with complaints about the dynamics between India and Pakistan stealing the spotlight.