Rajkot: In the latest episode of visa challenges plaguing the England cricket team during their India tour, leg-spin-bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed faced delays at Rajkot International Airport due to visa issues, just three days before the third Test scheduled to begin on February 15.
Rehan Ahmed, who had played a crucial role in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, was delayed over a visa problem related to a paperwork discrepancy. The leg-spinner arrived in India in January on a single-entry visa, which became invalid when he left for Abu Dhabi during the ten-day gap between the second and third Tests.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a statement acknowledging the visa hiccup, stating, “We were advised, on returning to India, that there was paperwork discrepancy with Rehan Ahmed’s visa. The local authorities at Rajkot Airport were supportive, enabling Rehan entry on a temporary visa. The correct visa should be processed and issued in the coming days. He will continue to prepare with the rest of the squad ahead of the third Test.”
Rehan Ahmed, having made a significant impact in the earlier matches, was granted a two-day visa “with the help of local authorities.” The remaining paperwork is expected to be completed before the commencement of the third Test.
The ongoing visa issues have marred the England team’s tour of India, with uncapped off-spinner Shoaib Bashir facing similar challenges ahead of the first Test in Hyderabad. The matter drew attention from cricketing circles, including former players and the current captain, Ben Stokes.
Ollie Robinson, another member of the squad, revealed on his podcast Chatting Balls that his visa had also been initially “denied,” and he had to wait until the morning of England’s flight from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad for clearance.
The England team has been advised to reprocess the visa for Rehan Ahmed, and the BCCI officials have assured that the necessary steps will be taken to address the paperwork discrepancy in the coming days. Despite these challenges, the team remains focused on their preparations for the third Test in Rajkot.