The drama over the delay of granting visas to Pakistan-origin player continues, with news emerging that England cricket team’s Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid are yet to get clearance to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026. Earlier this week, reports had claimed that four players belonging to the United States of America (USA) team were yet to get visas from the Indian government. The marquee tournament is scheduled to start from February 6 and will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
England spinners yet to get Indian visas
As per The Guardian, Rashid and Ahmed are yet to get visas from the Indian government to travel to India for the T20 World Cup. The report claims that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is confident of both players getting the necessary documents, assuring that no objections have been made to their applications. The board has claimed that it has sought assistance from the UK government to expedite the process.
The report also claims that due to the visa delay, the two spinners may not travel with the rest of the team to Sri Lanka for the three-match ODI and T20I series which will precede the T20 WC. While Rashid is a part of the ongoing SA20 tournament, Rehan is in Australia playing in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Meanwhile, an USA Cricket official has clarified that no visa application has been formally rejected so far, directly contradicting the claim made by fast bowler Ali Khan.
“I clarify that the visa issue is being handled by USA Cricket, which is currently administered by the ICC. It was erroneously conveyed by one player that the visas were rejected,” the official told Telecom Asia Sport.
England squad for T20 World Cup
Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
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