Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed face Indian visa hurdles ahead of T20 World Cup

England’s preparations for next month’s T20 World Cup have suffered a setback after the Indian government delayed issuing visas to spinners Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed.

As a result, the two players are unlikely to travel with the rest of the England squad this weekend for a series of six warm-up matches against Sri Lanka. It remains unclear when they will be able to join their teammates. 

Both Rashid and Ahmed, who are of Pakistani heritage, are currently overseas, with Rashid playing in South Africa’s SA20 and Ahmed featuring in Australia’s Big Bash League.

The delay has not come as a surprise to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which has faced similar bureaucratic hurdles in recent years amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. 

In the past, Shoaib Bashir missed the opening Test of England’s tour of India two years ago after being required to return to London to complete his visa process, while Saqib Mahmood has also encountered visa-related issues.

The ECB is understood to have received assurances from Indian authorities that there are no objections to Rashid and Ahmed’s applications. 

However, uncertainty remains over the timing, prompting the board to seek assistance from the UK government in an effort to speed up the process. 

It is hoped both players will be able to fly directly from their current locations to Sri Lanka or India once their visas are approved.

Despite the disruption, the ECB remains confident that Rashid and Ahmed will be available in time for the T20 World Cup, which begins for England with a group match against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8. 

However, the delay has impacted England’s build-up ahead of a tournament where expectations are already high following their recent 4-1 Ashes defeat.

Head coach Brendon McCullum will be aiming for at least a semi-final finish to ease pressure on his position, particularly after England exited last year’s Champions Trophy without registering a single win. 

Captain Harry Brook will also be under close scrutiny after it emerged last week that he was fined £30,000 by the ECB following a nightclub altercation in New Zealand on the eve of an ODI in October.

England are scheduled to play three one-day internationals and three T20s against Sri Lanka starting January 22. With Rashid and Ahmed unavailable for the opening fixtures, Brook may have limited spin resources. 

Liam Dawson is currently the only specialist spinner in the squad, while part-time options Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell could be required to bowl more than anticipated.

Meanwhile, England’s World Cup campaign faces another potential complication as the venue for their group match against Bangladesh remains uncertain. 

Bangladesh have requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) move their matches to a neutral venue due to security concerns amid ongoing tensions with India. 

Pakistan’s fixtures have already been relocated to Sri Lanka, although the Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly lobbying the ICC to resist further scheduling changes.