IND vs ENG Test Series: Pakistan-Origin Rehan Ahmed Held At Airport For Carrying Wrong Visa

England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed faced a delay as airport authorities at Hirasar Airport near Rajkot stopped him due to issues with his visa, just before the upcoming 3rd IND vs ENG Test.

England bowler Rehan Ahmed in action during day one of the 2nd IND vs ENG Test Match at ACA-VDCA Stadium on February 02, 2024 in Visakhapatnam, India.

Source : Getty

Following Shoaib Bashir's visa complications before the India tour, England spinner Rehan Ahmed encountered a similar situation while travelling to Rajkot from their mid-series break in Abu Dhabi before the 3rd IND vs ENG Test of the ongoing five-match Test series. The wrist-spinner was stopped by the authorities and faced a delay at the Hirasar Airport, near Rajkot, on February 12 (Monday).

According to a Sportstar report, the young cricketer had a visa allowing only a single entry into India. Consequently, he was halted by authorities as he attempted to return from the UAE for the second time within a span of 30 days.

Rehan experienced difficulties due to a visa processing error. Fortunately, authorities devised a temporary solution by granting him a two-day emergency visa. The England Cricket Board (ECB) expresses optimism that the situation will be completely resolved within the next 24 hours.

An individual with a single-entry visa is prohibited from exiting and re-entering the country. The England team, after a 10-day break in Abu Dhabi between the second and third Test, returned to India via a chartered flight from Abu Dhabi to Rajkot.

“The England team has been advised to process the visa again which will be happening in the next two days. The player was allowed to enter the country with the rest of the team and he will be appearing in practice on Tuesday,” a BCCI official said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

England Haunted By Visa Rows

Previously, another young spinner from England, Shoaib Bashir, who is of Pakistani origin, also encountered delays in acquiring his Indian visa. This situation left him stranded in Abu Dhabi. To resolve the issue, he had to return to England from Abu Dhabi, causing him to miss the 1st India vs England Test in Hyderabad. With Jack Leach injured, Bashir made his Test debut in the 2nd IND vs ENG Test in Visakhapatnam.