SEVERAL TEAMS set to compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 next month have approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) for assistance in securing Indian visas, citing concerns over players of Pakistani origin in their squads.
According to reports, nations including Oman, UAE, Italy, Canada, USA and Netherlands have players holding Pakistani passports or with Pakistani heritage, which has historically led to delays or complications in the Indian visa process.
Under India’s Ministry of External Affairs regulations, individuals born in Pakistan or those whose parents or grandparents were born there are required to apply for an Indian visa on a Pakistani passport, even if they hold citizenship of another country. This rule has often resulted in extended processing times and, in some cases, rejections.
A report by Telecom Asia Sport claims that the UAE have taken the lead in raising the issue with the ICC. The Emirati squad reportedly includes six players of Pakistani origin, among them captain Muhammad Waseem. Players from both the UAE and Oman have already submitted visa applications, but the report suggests there is concern that approvals may not come through without ICC intervention.
Visa-related hurdles for players of Pakistani heritage are not unprecedented. In 2024, England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who was born in the UK, faced a visa delay due to his father’s roots in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed encountered a similar issue last year. Reports have also indicated that Australia’s Pakistan-born batter Usman Khawaja experienced a delay during the 2023 Test tour of India. Earlier, Netherlands-born brothers Sikander and Saqib Zulfiqar saw their visas held up in 2019 because of their Pakistani background.
The Pakistan team, however, will not be affected by these concerns. Under an agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pakistan will play all their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, eliminating the need to travel to India. Any knockout fixtures involving Pakistan will also be staged in Sri Lanka.
