'Expect India to treat our citizens fairly': UK reacts to cricketer Shoaib Bashir's visa row

The United Kingdom government has said that it expects India to treat British citizens fairly after English cricketer Shoaib Bashir faced problems in getting visa to travel to India with the rest of the team.

Bashir had travelled with the team to Abu Dhabi when he was asked to return to London to receive his visa for India.

According to reports, the UK government intervened to fast-track the matter.

A government spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo: "We absolutely expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa process.

"We have previously raised the issues British citizens with Pakistani heritage experience applying for visas with the Indian High Commission in London."

Earlier a spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said while the British government could not "speak to the process and what's happened in this individual case" they had raised the broader issue with the Indian government.

England captain Ben Stokes had expressed disappointment at the development and said that he felt devastated for the English uncapped spinner.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma said that he felt for the young cricketer but he hopes that Bashir can join the team soon and enjoy the India tour.

(with AFP inputs)

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