A cricket official from the United States has refuted claims that four Pakistani-origin players were denied visas by India for the upcoming 2026 Twenty20 World Cup. The official clarified that the visas are delayed, not denied, contrary to earlier reports. The players in question, Ali Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin, and Ehsan Adil, are awaiting visa processing.
According to the report, the USA cricket association, under the International Cricket Council (ICC), is handling the visa matter. The official emphasized that it was a misunderstanding when one player claimed the visas were rejected. All four players, originally from Pakistan but now US citizens, are required to apply for Indian visas based on their country of birth.
The delay in visa processing was confirmed by one of the players mentioned in the initial claim. The situation has arisen as India and Sri Lanka gear up to co-host the Twenty20 World Cup from February 7 to March 8. The issue is expected to attract attention in the days ahead, affecting players from various countries with Pakistani origins.
Reports suggest that players from countries like the UAE, Oman, Nepal, Canada, England, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands, with Pakistani roots, may face similar visa delays. The ICC has reportedly issued special instructions to Indian embassies to address the matter promptly and ensure smooth visa processing for the affected players.
In the past, Pakistani-origin players have encountered visa challenges, with instances of denial or delays. The current situation has led to increased workload for the International Cricket Council as they assist teams in navigating the visa procedures.
