Four Pakistan-born USA cricketers are facing uncertainty over their visas for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India, though there is no official rejection so far. Their applications are still under review, according to sources familiar with the process.
The players involved are Ali Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Ehsan Adil, and Mohammad Mohsin. All four were born in Pakistan and now represent the United States.
The issue came into focus after Ali Khan posted on social media that his “India visa denied.” However, later reports clarified that the applications are still being processed and no formal refusal has been communicated by the authorities.
The USA squad had visa appointments at the Indian High Commission in Colombo, where the team is currently training. Officials say the delay is linked to additional checks that are usually required for applicants of Pakistani origin.
Such cases need clearance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which often takes more time. This has led to anxiety within the camp as the tournament is set to begin on February 7, 2026.
ICC Hopeful of Resolution
The International Cricket Council is understood to be working behind the scenes to help resolve the matter. Sources from the ICC have told media outlets that they remain confident the issue will be sorted before the tournament begins.
So far, neither the ICC nor USA Cricket has issued a public statement. Officials are waiting for the visa process to be completed before speaking officially.
The situation is important for the USA, who are set to play three of their four group matches in India. This includes the opening game against India in Mumbai. The team is also scheduled to face Pakistan in Colombo.
If the delay continues, the USA could be forced into late squad changes, which would be a big setback just days before a major global event.
This is not the first time such issues have come up. In the past, players like England’s Shoaib Bashir and Australia’s Usman Khawaja have faced similar visa-related delays due to their background.
There is also concern that other teams could face the same problem. Countries like the UAE, Oman, and Canada have players of Pakistani origin who may go through longer processing timelines.
For now, all parties are waiting, hopeful that paperwork clears in time and the focus returns to cricket at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.