Saif pays visa fine

Bangladesh batsman Saif Hasan had to pay a Rs 21,600 fine to be allowed to fly out of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata because he overstayed his visa.

Hasan travelled with the Bangladesh team as a back-up opener for the recently concluded Test series against India and returned home on Wednesday night.

Hasan, who was considered for the day-night pink ball Test at Eden Gardens but missed out due to split webbing between two fingers, had stayed on with the team without noticing that his six-month visa had expired.

“His [Hassan’s] visa expired two days ago and he realized it only at the airport. He could not board the booked flight. As per the new rules of overstay, he had to pay the fine,” Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner Toufique Hassan said yesterday. “Thankfully, the Indian High Commission processed his visa and gave him the exit clearance and he left for home yesterday [Wednesday].”