Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Sunday Feb 22, 2026
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Adil Rashid (left) and Rehan Ahmed
England have had a setback in their preparations for the T20 World Cup next month with the Indian Government yet to issue visas to the spinners Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed.
The delay means both players, who have Pakistani heritage, are unlikely to travel with the rest of the squad this weekend for six warm-up games against Sri Lanka, and it is unclear when they will join their teammates.
The visa delays have not come as a surprise to the England and Wales Cricket Board, which has become accustomed to the Indian government’s bureaucratic approach in recent years due to its worsening diplomatic and political relations with Pakistan.
The ECB is understood to have received assurances from the Indian government that it has no objection to both players’ applications, but the timing is uncertain and it has engaged help from the UK government in an attempt to expedite the process. Rashid is in South Africa playing in the SA20 T20 competition, while Ahmed is in Australia for the Big Bash, and it is hoped they will be able to fly from there straight to Sri Lanka or India.
The ECB is confident that the visas will be issued in time for Rashid and Ahmed to play in the World Cup, with England’s campaign beginning against Nepal in Mumbai on 8 February, but their preparation has been affected before a tournament they will start under considerable pressure after their 4-1 Ashes defeat.
England plays three one-day internationals and three T20s in Sri Lanka beginning on 22 January, and Harry Brook, the captain, may have limited spin options at his disposal. Liam Dawson is the only other specialist spinner in the squad, and Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell may be required to do more bowling than expected if the absent duo do not arrive in time to play in the matches.
– (The Guardian)
