T20 World Cup: Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid Issued Visas to Travel to India, Ending Uncertainty Ahead of Tournament
January 19, 2026 — Relief has finally come for England’s T20 World Cup preparations after spinners Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid were issued Indian visas, clearing a major hurdle that had threatened their participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka beginning February 7. The development ends days of uncertainty that had loomed over the England squad due to delayed clearances for the two key players with Pakistani heritage.
Visa approvals for Ahmed and Rashid were confirmed by cricket media and the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, ending a period of speculation after it emerged that the rest of the England squad had received their visas while the two spinners remained in administrative limbo. The ICC said visa processing for all players, officials and support staff of Pakistani origin or nationality engaged in the tournament remains on track.
The delay had raised concerns within the England camp, since both Rashid and Ahmed are seen as crucial components of the team’s spin attack strategy in the T20 World Cup format. The situation briefly jeopardised their chances of joining the squad’s pre-tournament engagements, including warm-up matches and a preparatory white-ball series in Sri Lanka.
Visa Hurdle Clears After ICC Facilitation
The visa issue centred on the fact that both Rashid and Ahmed have family roots in Pakistan, a factor that has previously led to extra scrutiny for international travel to India. This is not unprecedented — past tours to India have seen similar delays for players of Pakistani descent, prompting additional administrative checks before visa clearance.
The ICC has been actively coordinating with Indian authorities to ensure seamless visa processing for all eligible participants. According to the governing body, there are 42 players and officials of Pakistani origin across participating teams, including England, Netherlands, USA and other nations, whose visa applications are being facilitated ahead of the event. While Rashid and Ahmed’s visas have now been granted, some other cases are expected to be resolved in the coming days.
In England’s squad, Sikh-origin players such as Rashid and Ahmed, along with pacer Saqib Mahmood, had all been part of the visa facilitation efforts. Members of the Netherlands team and a staff member from Canada have also reportedly received their visas, reflecting broader progress in clearing administrative backlogs.
Impact on England’s World Cup Preparations
The earlier delays had posed tactical and logistical challenges for England’s preparation. Both spinners have been active in franchise cricket — Rashid in various global leagues and Ahmed in the Big Bash League — and their timely arrival in India now ensures that England can finalise its training plans and team combinations ahead of its World Cup campaign.
England’s first World Cup match is scheduled against Nepal on February 8 in Mumbai, and having a full squad available well ahead of that fixture is considered crucial by coaches and analysts. The team’s performance expectations are high after a mixed run of form in recent limited-overs series, and spin options like Rashid and Ahmed could influence the squad’s balance in Indian conditions.
Visa Processes Under Scrutiny
The episode underscored the complexities of visa arrangements for major international sporting events, especially when players have multi-national backgrounds or heritage ties that can trigger additional checks under host country protocols. Sport administrators have described the process as “standard procedure”, noting that it applies irrespective of nationality or team affiliation but can appear protracted due to sensitive administrative requirements.
The ICC’s involvement in expediting clearances is seen as a necessary step to ensure that the World Cup roster is complete well before the start date. Officials are confident that all remaining pending visas will be issued by the January 31 deadline, which is a week before the tournament opener.
Wider Context for the T20 World Cup
The T20 World Cup is set to be one of the largest global cricket events, with matches spread across multiple cities in India and Sri Lanka. Teams from across the world, including traditional powerhouses and emerging sides, are preparing for high-stakes competition. Ensuring player availability — including the clearances of players with dual heritage — is critical for maintaining competitive integrity and fan engagement.
As England’s spinners prepare to join their teammates in India, the relief within the camp reflects broader hopes that administrative hurdles will not overshadow what promises to be a thrilling T20 World Cup season.
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