England spinner Rehan Ahmed is at risk of missing this week’s third Test against India in Rajkot due to a visa problem caused by an administrative error.
The 19-year-old, who has taken 15 wickets at 28.53 in three Test appearances, was held up at immigration at Rajkot’s Hirasar Airport on Monday after returning from England’s mid-series break in Abu Dhabi. As first reported by Sportstar, he was in possession of a single-entry visa that expired after he left India following last week’s second Test in Visakhapatnam.
Ahmed was issued a temporary visa that granted emergency entry, joining his teammates at a training session in Rajkot on Tuesday. However, the ECB remains confident the issue will be resolved before the third Test gets underway at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday.
The visa issue has nothing to do with Ahmed’s Pakistani heritage.
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“We were advised, on returning to India, that there was a paperwork discrepancy with Rehan Ahmed’s visa,” an ECB spokesperson said.
“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.”
Last month, England spinner Shoaib Bashir missed the first Test in Hyderabad due to visa delays complicated by his Pakistani heritage. The 20-year-old returned home after the pre-series camp in the United Arab Emirates to have his visa stamped in London, touching down in India after the series opener had already commenced.
Meanwhile, England spinner Jack Leach was withdrawn from the remainder of the Test series in India after sustaining a knee injury.
Bashir made his international debut in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, taking four wickets.
The five-match series between India and England is currently level at 1-1.