Shoaib Bashir returns to UK after visa delay rules him out of first Test | IND vs ENG

England's off-break bowler, Shoaib Bashir has flown back to the UK and been ruled out of the first Test against India starting on Thursday in Hyderabad after a visa delay that prevented England’s spinner from travelling to the country with his new teammates.

England arrived in India on Sunday without Bashir, who remained in Abu Dhabi where the squad had been training ahead of the series, along with Stuart Hooper, the ECB's director of cricket operations.

It was initially hoped he would join his teammates in Hyderabad on Tuesday. But after further delays, the 20-year-old has returned home in the hope of facilitating the process.

Speaking ahead of the first Test, Stokes said he is frustrated for Bashir, insisting that they had announced their squad for the India series in mid-December. Bashir has played just six first-class matches, picking 10 wickets.

“Especially as captain, I find it particularly frustrating. We announced that squad in mid-December, and now Bash finds himself without a visa to get here. I am more frustrated for him. I didn't want this type of situation to be his first experience of what it's like to be in the England Test team. I feel for him,” said Stokes.

England’s squad for India series

Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (WK), Dan Lawrence, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.

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