Pakistani-Born England Cricketers Denied Indian Visas Ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup

England’s preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka have been disrupted as two key players, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, remain stuck due to delays in obtaining Indian visas. Both cricketers, of Pakistani origin, are waiting for clearance from Indian authorities, preventing them from joining the squad ahead of the team’s scheduled departure to Sri Lanka this weekend. As a result, they will miss the start of the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is beginning January 22 in Colombo, a tour intended as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup, where England opens against Nepal on February 8 in Mumbai.

The England and Wales Cricket Board completed the necessary formalities following the ICC’s official invitation letters. However, because Rashid participated in the UAE’s ILT20 and Ahmed in Australia’s Big Bash League, their visa applications were submitted while overseas. Rehan Ahmed is expected to remain in Australia until the issue is resolved, while Rashid is also awaiting confirmation. The ECB is actively liaising with the ICC, BCCI, and British and Indian authorities to expedite the process.

This visa complication is part of a recurring pattern for players of Pakistani heritage. England previously faced similar challenges in 2024 when Shoaib Bashir had to return home to complete his visa ahead of a Test tour. Saqib Mahmood also experienced delays, causing him to miss a training camp before last year’s Champions Trophy.

Reports indicate that this is not an isolated problem. Pakistan-born USA players Ali Khan, Ehsan Adil, Shayan Jahangir, and Mohammad Mohsin recently revealed visa rejections on social media. Multiple cricket boards have raised the issue with the ICC, warning that complications for players of Pakistani origin could affect squad planning across several teams, although no definitive assurances have been provided.