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Pakistan batter’s Yorkshire debut delayed due to visa issues

The club has not yet confirmed a revised arrival date for the batter

Pakistan batter’s Yorkshire debut delayed due to visa issues PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique's departure to England for the County Championship has been delayed, Yorkshire County Cricket Club confirmed on Saturday.

Abdullah was set to represent Yorkshire in two red-ball matches and four Vitality Blast T20 games during his stint with the club.

However, according to a statement issued by Yorkshire on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, a delay in the visa process means Abdullah will not be able to arrive as originally scheduled and will miss the upcoming Championship match against Nottinghamshire.

The club has not yet confirmed a revised arrival date for the Pakistani batter.

"Anthony McGrath revealed this evening that Pakistan overseas batter Abdullah Shafique has been the subject of a visa delay and will miss this weekend's Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge," the club said.

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire County Cricket Club has earlier confirmed the signing of Pakistan international Abdullah Shafique as an overseas player for the ongoing season.

The top-order batter was set to join the club for the upcoming two Rothesay County Championship matches against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and against Surrey. 

Shafique will also remain with the team for the remainder of the Vitality Blast group stage, featuring in the final four fixtures of the campaign.