IND vs ENG: Visa controversy continues to rock England, spinner Rehan Ahmed denied entry in India!

After Shoaib Bashir, now English spinner Rehan Ahmed finds himself in a visa issue. The cricketer faced complications upon attempting to enter India after the England team's visit to Abu Dhabi during the 10-day break between the second and third Tests. Rehan was reportedly halted at Hirasar airport in Rajkot due to inadequate paperwork required for his entry.

According to reports, Rehan's predicament stemmed from holding a single-entry visa, a restriction that prevents individuals from exiting and re-entering the country. Recognising the urgency of the situation, local authorities managed to provide a temporary solution by granting him a 2-day visa. However, the England camp has been advised to resolve the issue comprehensively within the next 48 hours.

In this context, the England team expressed optimism that the matter would be fully resolved within 24 hours. Apart from Rehan, other members of the travelling squad and support staff encountered no obstacles, reaching their Rajkot hotel by Monday evening.

Rehan Ahmed didn’t face an issue on his first visit!

Speaking about the issue, an Indian Cricket Board official said, "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.”

This incident unfolded during the first-ever direct international flight landing in Rajkot. To manage the situation, a temporary immigration counter was set up, with officials from Jamnagar overseeing the proceedings. Out of the 31 members of the England contingent, Rehan was the sole individual facing the visa dilemma.

Unlike Bashir, Rehan encountered no hindrance during his initial entry into India with the rest of the England squad. With three more tests scheduled in the series and the next one set to commence on February 15, England is eager to swiftly resolve Rehan's visa issue to ensure his availability for the upcoming matches.