Home / Sports / England Cricket Stars Face Visa Hurdle Ahead of T20 World Cup
England Cricket Stars Face Visa Hurdle Ahead of T20 World Cup
15 Jan
Summary
- Two England players of Pakistani heritage haven't received visas.
- Visa delays mean players will miss warm-up games in Sri Lanka.
- ECB is actively working with Indian authorities to expedite the process.
Visa delays have impacted two key England players, Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid, ahead of the 2026 men's T20 World Cup. Both players, who have Pakistani heritage, have not yet been issued their visas, casting uncertainty over their immediate travel plans. This current situation means they will miss the squad's departure for Sri Lanka this weekend, where warm-up matches are scheduled.
While the exact reasons for the delay are not specified, it is understood that there are no formal objections from the Indian government. The England and Wales Cricket Board is in communication with the Indian government, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to expedite the visa process. Historically, players of Pakistani heritage have sometimes faced delays when traveling to India for cricket events.
Despite these visa challenges, the England and Wales Cricket Board remains confident that both Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid will receive their visas in time for England's opening match of the T20 World Cup. This match is scheduled against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8, with the tournament commencing on February 7 and concluding on March 8. The absence of the two spinners could affect team selection for the initial warm-up fixtures.
