England’s final preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup have encountered a significant administrative hurdle, with two pivotal spin bowlers facing delayed entry to the tournament host nation.
Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, both integral to the team’s strategy, have not yet received visas from Indian authorities. This delay is expected to prevent them from traveling with the main squad to Sri Lanka for a critical series of warm-up matches this weekend. The timing of their eventual arrival remains uncertain.
The situation reflects a recurring challenge for English cricket officials when touring the subcontinent, particularly for players of Pakistani descent. Historical precedents, including a similar issue that sidelined a bowler during a Test tour two years prior, highlight persistent bureaucratic complexities linked to regional diplomatic tensions.
While the national cricket board has reportedly received indications that the visas will ultimately be granted, and is seeking diplomatic assistance to accelerate the process, the immediate impact on team preparation is considerable. Rashid is currently in South Africa and Ahmed in Australia, with plans for them to travel directly to the Asian subcontinent once their documentation is cleared.
Team management remains publicly confident the duo will be available for the World Cup itself, where England’s campaign begins in early February. However, their absence from the preparatory camp is a substantial setback for a squad already under pressure following a heavy Ashes defeat last year.
The visa issue compounds other challenges for the side. The team’s only other specialist spinner in the squad may have to shoulder a heavy workload in the warm-up games. Furthermore, the tournament’s schedule faces potential disruption, with one of England’s group-stage opponents having requested its matches be relocated on security grounds, a proposal that is meeting resistance from the host nation’s cricket board.
This off-field complication adds an unwelcome layer of difficulty as England seeks to build momentum and refine its combinations ahead of a global tournament where expectations remain high despite recent setbacks.