Physical disability World Cricket Series: ECB official Ian Martin denied Indian visa

Mumbai: England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Head of Disability Cricket, Ian Martin, who was supposed to be in India to oversee and guide the officials of the All India Cricket Association for Physically Challenged on the forthcoming first ever World Series has been denied visa.

"My visa application is rejected. It was very frustrating. They said I should have applied for a sports visa", speaking exclusively over telephone from London, he said. .

Ian Martin, who has loved cricket since his childhood will now apply sports visa and is scheduled to arrive on May 5. He will spend seven days in India.

"Five countries-England, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan-have confirmed their participation in this tournament (scheduled to be held in England in August this year),” he added.

The president of the association, Ashok Wadekar (brother of former India captain late Ajit Wadekar is now in London and is certain to meet Martin there.

The trials for selection of 75-probables from all over India began in Mumbai. The next round of trials is scheduled to be held in Chandigarh. Brijesh Solkar, the son of late Eknath Solkar, who was India's best forward short-leg field is in Chandigarh as an observer. The next camp in Baroda will be overseen by former fast bowler Karshan Ghaveri.

Under the chairmanship of former left-arm fast bowler Umesh Kulkarni, the selectors will pick the final squad.