England could enter the tournament with limited match practice.
England’s T20 World Cup preparations have hit a significant setback just weeks before their opening match, as veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid and rising star Rehan Ahmed are yet to receive Indian visa clearance.
The delay leaves the squad short on spin options and follows a worrying pattern of bureaucratic hurdles for players of Pakistani heritage.
While the rest of the England squad prepares to fly out for a six-match white-ball series in Sri Lanka starting January 22, Rashid and Ahmed remain in logistical limbo.
Both are currently competing in high-profile T20 leagues, which complicates their travel plans.
Rashid is in South Africa for the SA20, while Ahmed is featuring in Australia’s Big Bash League.
Their absence from the Sri Lanka warm-ups means England could enter the tournament with limited match practice.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has intervened, reportedly seeking UK government support to fast-track the documentation.
Indian authorities have signalled “no objection” to the applications, but additional administrative scrutiny, common for travellers with Pakistani heritage, has put their immediate participation in jeopardy.
England are not the only team experiencing visa delays.
The United States squad is facing a similar challenge, with Ali Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin and Ehsan Adil still awaiting clearance.
USA pacer Ali Khan recently sparked social media discussion after posting about his denied visa, though officials insist applications are “under process” rather than officially rejected.
Adding to pre-tournament tension, a secondary political dispute has emerged over England’s Group C clash against Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has repeatedly requested the ICC to move their matches out of India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns amid rising diplomatic friction.
The ICC officially rejected the proposal on January 13, labelling the risk “low to moderate”, but the BCB continues to push for a “hybrid model” similar to the one granted to Pakistan.
England remain “cautiously confident” that both Rashid and Ahmed will reach Mumbai by February 8 for the tournament opener against Nepal.
However, missing the Sri Lanka warm-ups and lacking match practice in Asian conditions could leave Harry Brook’s side tactically exposed during the early stages of the tournament, particularly in spin-friendly venues.
The T20 World Cup gets underway on February 7, 2026.
Loading ...