Four Pakistan-born USA players denied Indian visa for T20 World Cup
Four Pakistan-born players who represent the United States cricket team have been denied Indian visas, putting their participation in next month’s T20 World Cup 2026 in serious jeopardy, according to a news report on Tuesday. The development threatens to disrupt USA’s World Cup preparations and has raised concerns about potential visa issues affecting players from multiple nations ahead of the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting February 7.
Ali Khan confirms visa denial
One of the players told Telecom Asia Sport that he, along with three others, had been denied visas to travel to India for the T20 World Cup. Fast bowler Ali Khan confirmed the development in a video message.
“Yes, it is true that three Pakistani-origin players have been denied an Indian visa, which means we are unable to feature in the Twenty20 World Cup,” Ali Khan said in a video message to telecomasia.net.
The other three players named in the 20-man USA squad for the T20 World Cup are Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin, and Ehsan Adil, the report stated.
All four are now US citizens
According to the report, all four players were born in Pakistan but are now US citizens. Under India’s visa rules, all Pakistan-born individuals must apply for a visa using their passport from their country of birth, regardless of their current citizenship status.
Ehsan Adil was born in Sheikhupura and played three Tests and six ODIs for Pakistan between 2013 and 2015. He migrated to the USA four years ago and now plays for Kingsmen USA. Ali Khan was born in Attock in Punjab, Shayan Jahangir in Karachi, and Mohammad Mohsin in Mingora in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Eight countries potentially affected
The issue means eight countries could be affected by similar visa complications. Besides the USA, players from the UAE, Oman, Nepal, Canada, England, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands also have cricketers of Pakistani origin who could face similar hurdles.
This widespread impact threatens to create significant disruption for multiple teams participating in the T20 World Cup, with several nations potentially forced to make last-minute squad changes or play without key personnel.
History of visa issues for Pakistan-born players
The report also claimed that the issue has troubled Pakistani-origin players in the past, creating a pattern of visa difficulties for cricketers born in Pakistan but representing other nations.
The Zulfiqar brothers - Sikander and Saqib - were denied visas in 2019, while another player, Shiraz Ahmed, had his visa delayed for the 2023 World Cup. Australia’s opener Usman Khawaja (2017) and England spinners Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir (2024) have also faced visa problems previously when trying to travel to India.
ICC assisting with increased workload
Sources in the International Cricket Council (ICC) said they are assisting teams in acquiring visas, but the latest issue has significantly increased their workload as the tournament approaches.
The situation puts additional pressure on the ICC to find a resolution quickly, with less than a month remaining before the T20 World Cup begins. The governing body may need to intervene diplomatically to ensure all qualified players can participate in the tournament.