‘Not following basic procedures, assuming things…..’ – Venkatesh Prasad slams ECB over Shoaib Bashir’s visa controversy

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad slammed the ECB over England’s cricketer Shoaib Bashir’s visa controversy on social media. Notably, the young bowler faced visa complications, and he wasn’t allowed to travel to India for the first Test match, which had already commenced on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

The 20-year-old cricketer was in Abu Dhabi for the Leagues. However, because of his improper paper-work, he was called back to London for the visa. However, the great spinner has finally gotten his visa and will reach the host country ahead of the second Test match taking place in February. Venkatesh Prasad lashed out at the ECB and the England media for stirring up the controversy and calling them at fault.

The 54-year-old cricketer revealed that the ECB has sent Bashir to Dubai, thinking that the third country will be doing his work. However, the work was done in itself. In addition, the well-renowned cricket commentator lashed out at the board while claiming that they did not follow the basic procedures at all and then blamed the Indian government for these issues while claiming that despite being approved in mid-December, they didn’t give the visa.

“His visa needed to be stamped in the UK. The ECB sent Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, thinking it would be stamped in a third country. Not following basic procedures, assuming things and then crying foul is an old English way. If anyone, it is the ECB at fault,” wrote Venkatesh Prasad on X, formerly Twitter.

Check out here the tweet:

His visa needed to be stamped in the UK. The ECB sent Shoaib Bashir to the UAE, thinking it would be stamped in a third country.
Not following basic procedures , assuming things and then crying foul is an old English way.
If anyone, it is the ECB at fault. https://t.co/Fw8tG0XsD8

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 24, 2024

Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa and is due to travel to join up with the team in India: ECB

Meanwhile, the ECB has revealed that the young bowler received his visa on January 24, and he is set to reach the host country by this weekend. The board has thanked the Indian government for cooperating and getting the issues resolved.

“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,” the board said in a statement.