Rubel yet to get clearance to fly for SA

When his teammates starts three-day practice match against South African Invitation XI Squad to acclimatize the condition, fast bowler Rubel Hossain is yet to get the clearance to fly for South Africa.

The bowler himself doesn’t know when he would get the clearance and if he could manage to force his case strong for the first Test, slated to begin from September 28.

“We have contacted South Africa and they have already informed the matter to the concerned authority. But the problem is that there is no certain timeframe for a situation like this. When the clearance will come from South Africa, we will send him in the first available flight,” said BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury.

Even though Rubel had a valid visa like his team-mates, the South Africa immigration authorities have a new provision in which, despite anyone having a visa, they issue "Okay to board" assurances to the airlines, specifying who can fly. Rubel's name was missing from that list. Akram Khan, the BCB's cricket committee chairman, attributed the situation to a mistake in the visa issued to Rubel.

"The South Africa visa office made a mistake in his visa," Akram said. "It has to do with his date of birth. It will take a day or two to correct everything. He can go before the Test series. He is an important player, so we cannot deprive him because of miscommunication."

Rubel yet to get clearance to fly for SA

When his teammates starts three-day practice match against South African Invitation XI Squad to acclimatize the condition, fast bowler Rubel Hossain is yet to get the clearance to fly for South Africa. The bowler himself doesnt know when he would get the clearance and if he could manage to force his case strong for the first Test, slated to begin from September 28. We have contacted South Africa and they have already informed the matter to the concerned authority. But the problem is that there is no certain timeframe for a situation like this. When the clearance will come from South Africa, we will send him in the first available flight, said BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury. Even though Rubel had a valid visa like his team-mates, the South Africa immigration authorities have a new provision in which, despite anyone having a visa, they issue Okay to board assurances to the airlines, specifying who can fly. Rubels name was missing from that list. Akram Khan, the BCBs cricket committee chairman, attributed the situation to a mistake in the visa issued to Rubel. The South Africa visa office made a mistake in his visa, Akram said. It has to do with his date of birth. It will take a day or two to correct everything. He can go before the Test series. He is an important player, so we cannot deprive him because of miscommunication.