US Cricketers of Pakistani Origin Face Visa Delays Ahead of T20 World Cup
Four American cricketers with Pakistani heritage are currently waiting for their Indian visas to be approved. The players need these travel documents to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.
Visa Appointment Completed in Colombo
The cricketers attended their scheduled visa appointment on Tuesday. They submitted all required paperwork at the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The four players involved are Ali Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin, and Ehsan Adil.
An eighteen-member United States squad is currently training in Sri Lanka. They are preparing for the ICC tournament, which begins on February 7. The US team will face defending champions India in their opening match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on that same date.
No Rejections, But Processing Delays
Sources confirm that no visa applications have been formally rejected. However, the processing cannot be completed immediately. US fast bowler Ali Khan created some confusion on Tuesday when he posted an Instagram story suggesting visa problems.
A reliable source provided details about the current situation. "They had the appointment this morning at the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka," the source explained. "They completed the paperwork as per ICC requirements. At the appointment, officials informed them that visas could not be processed at this stage."
Later that evening, the US team management received a call from the Indian Embassy. Embassy officials indicated they had received some necessary information but were still waiting for additional inputs from India's Foreign Ministry. Once that process concludes, the players will be contacted to move forward.
Standard Protocol for Pakistani-Origin Players
This situation follows established Indian government protocol. Players of Pakistani origin traveling to India typically undergo additional verification procedures. India's Ministry of External Affairs makes the final decision in such cases.
Several international cricketers have experienced similar processes in the past. English players Moeen Ali and Shoaib Bashir both went through extra steps before touring India. Australian batter Usman Khawaja also faced additional scrutiny when traveling to India for cricket matches.
Broader Implications for Associate Nations
The United States is not the only team affected by these procedures. Several other associate nations have players of Pakistani origin in their squads. Teams from the UAE, Canada, Oman, and Italy will likely follow similar protocols when applying for Indian visas.
This visa issue adds another complication as the World Cup approaches. Meanwhile, another dispute continues between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council. Bangladesh remains reluctant to tour India for its scheduled World Cup fixtures, with no resolution in sight.
The United States will announce its final T20 World Cup squad later this month. Team officials remain hopeful that the visa situation will be resolved in time for the tournament.
