Shoaib Bashir on making Test debut vs India: ‘I always knew I’d get the visa, thanks to BCCI and ECB for sorting it quickly’ | Cricket News

Even before he landed in India for the five-Test match series, Shoaib Bashir was at the centre of attention owing to a visa delay. The 20-year-old’s Pakani heritage had forced the need for him to fly back to UK – rather than Abu Dhabi where the entire England team had camped ahead of the series – to get his visa stamped.
Having missed out on featuring in the playing XI of the first Test in Hyderabad, Bashir was in attendance in the dressing room at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to witness Ben Stokes and Co prevail over the hosts 28 runs.
However, despite the delay, Bashir conceded on Tuesday – after finally making his Test debut for England – that he was never in doubt about getting to India.
“I had no doubts at all I’d get here,” he told the reporters at the end of the first day’s action in Visakhapatnam. “I always knew I’d get the visa. It was a bit of a hassle but I’m here now and I got to make my debut. That’s all that matters really.
“I was pretty chilled to be fair. I knew it would get sorted so thanks to the ECB and the BCCI for sorting it out quite quickly. We’re here now,” he added.
Bashir marked his arrival in England’s whites nabbing two wickets on Friday – his first ever dismissal for England being Rohit Sharma. It would take the 20-year-old all of 21 deliveries into his international career to get rid of the Indian captain beating the latter with an off-breaker. “Getting Rohit out first up is very special, he’s a very good player of spin – one of the greatest in the world,” Bashir said afterwards. “I just let it all out. It’s just the passion. I love playing cricket, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Bashir received his Test cap from his Somerset teammate Jack Leach, who he replaced in the playing XI after the left-arm spinner picked up an injury in England’s triumph in Hyderabad.

Asked what skipper Ben Stokes told him before taking the field on Friday, Bashir replied, “He basically just said: ‘Remember why you started playing the game, remember your family, go out there and show what you’ve got. We already know, we’ve already seen you, so go out and do what you do best.’ Those words helped me massively with my confidence.”