Rohit Sharma 'feels for' Shoaib Bashir as visa complications delay his arrival

Bashir, a British Muslim with Pakistani heritage, has experienced difficulty having his application approved and was forced to fly back to London from Abu Dhabi to resolve the issue, ruling him out of Thursday's first Test.

It is not the first time players with links to Pakistan have experienced hold-ups in India, with Lancashire's Saqib Mahmood and Australia opener Usman Khawaja among that number.

The Pakistan Cricket Board wrote to the International Cricket Council late last year due to delays over visas for their World Cup squad.

England skipper Ben Stokes said on Tuesday he was "devastated" for the uncapped 20-year-old and his opposite number offered solidarity.

"I feel for him honestly," said Sharma.

"Unfortunately I don't sit in the visa office to give you more details on that but hopefully he can make it quickly, enjoy our country and plays some cricket as well.

"It's not easy for anyone, it could be one of our guys wanting to come to England and being denied."

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