Dhaka: Pace bowler Rubel Hossain was prevented from boarding a flight to South Africa with the Bangladesh tour squad after the airline claimed he did not have immigration clearance, officials said on Tuesday.

The Bangladesh speed star could not manage his place in the Test squad against Australia at home held recently. Finally he has been selected for the South Africa tour.

But Rubel Hossain is yet to fly for South Africa due to his visa problem although all the team have reached there.

Bangladesh cricket team are set to play a three-day warm-up match starting from September 21 against South Africa Cricket Board X1.

South Africa Migrants Safety Agency is yet to give a no objection certificate to Rubel. That is why the problem is created.

When asked, Bangladesh Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury hoped after completing all formalities Rubel will play the Test series against South Africa. 

He said, ‘I have talked to South Africa Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat in this connection and Haroon assured me they have taken matter seriously.’

It may be mentioned that South African authorities have earlier imposed an embargo on one Rubel Hossain. As the spelling of cricketer Rubel got matched with that banned ‘Rubel’, this speed star has fallen in trouble to fly.

The rest of the 14-member Bangladesh squad has already arrived in South Africa ahead of the first Test starting at Potchefstroom on September 28.

The second and final Test will be played in Bloemfontein staring on October 6.