The state of political and diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan has resulted in regular delays for Pakistani nationals or those with Pakistani heritage when applying for Indian visas in recent years, including several cricketers.
But Cricket Scotland is confident that Sharif – who was born in Huddersfield to a Pakistani father and a British-Pakistani mother before moving to Scotland aged seven – will be granted a visa in time for the team’s opening match against West Indies in Kolkata.
“We are all committed [to] working with the ICC to make that happen,” Trudy Lindblade, Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, said on Monday. “The visa piece is always slightly an unknown, and it doesn’t matter whether you’ve got three days or whether you’ve got 45 days.
“Certainly that’s been our focus in the last 48 hours: just getting those visas done so our players are all ready to go. They’re all in the middle of submitting their visas and we will be there on the ground in India as quickly as we can, so it’s just a matter of time now.
“[The ICC] can only give us the assurances of the bits that they can control and, absolutely, of the bits that they control, we are working with them and obviously they’re working with the BCCI and local people on the ground there to make sure that we are getting all of that support that we need.
“So, absolutely, [they have given] the assurance that they can provide of things that were in their control. There is a team working very, very hard to not just help us, but to help 19 other teams as well that are also going to a World Cup. But we are their intense focus right now.”
Scotland will also apply for visas for two travelling reserves and three non-travelling reserves so that they will be able to field a team even in the event of delays and their head of performance, Steve Snell, said that the ICC had been “fantastic” in supporting their hurried preparations.
“We [also] anticipate some support whenever we can [get it] from the BCCI,” Snell said. “I don’t think we need to escalate that any further to get into the country, because you’d suggest that Scotland being invited to attend the World Cup and then not being able to get there wouldn’t be a great look for anybody.”
Chris Sole, the express fast bowler, is a notable absentee. Sole, who has regularly registered speeds in excess of 90mph/145kph, has played franchise cricket in the ILT20 and the CPL and featured for Scotland at their last World Cup appearance, but has not played a professional match since late 2024 as he focuses on a non-playing career in recruitment.
Hampshire seamer Scott Currie, who played three ODIs in early 2024, was not considered as he is no longer eligible for selection.
Currie, whose older brother Brad is part of the squad, was picked by England for their T20I series against Ireland in September and while he did not win a cap, the fact that he was named as an official substitute on their teamsheet renders him unavailable for Scotland until September 2028 under ICC regulations.
Scotland are due to play warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia in Bengaluru on February 2 and 4 before their opening fixture against West Indies in Kolkata. Their other first-round matches are against Italy, England and Nepal, with the top two teams in Group B then qualifying for the Super 8s stage.
“The squad selection is subject to all player and staff visa applications being approved,” Cricket Scotland said in a statement. “Given the limited notice for Scotland’s participation at the tournament and timescale for selecting players, two travelling reserves have been selected while three others will be non-travelling reserves.”
Scotland squad for T20 World Cup: Richie Berrington (capt), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Brad Currie, Oli Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal
Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis
Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear
Kolkata, February 7, 2026 – Will politics keep Scotland off the pitch? That’s the question hanging over the team as they await Indian visa approvals ahead of their T20 World Cup opener against West Indies. The ICC is reportedly working “very, very hard” to ensure all players, including fast bowler Safyaan Sharif, who has Pakistani heritage, receive the necessary documentation in time for the February 7th match.
A Late Invitation, A Looming Visa Crisis
Scotland stepped into the tournament after Bangladesh’s last-minute withdrawal, but securing visas for the team has become a pressing concern.
Scotland’s unexpected entry into the T20 World Cup came after Bangladesh pulled out, making them the highest-ranked team eligible to take their place. A 15-man squad was named on Monday and is scheduled to travel to India this week. However, the team’s participation hinges on the timely arrival of Indian visas, a process often complicated by the political climate between India and Pakistan.
What’s the biggest hurdle for the Scottish team? The potential for delays in visa processing for players with Pakistani heritage, due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
The situation is particularly sensitive for Safyaan Sharif, born in Huddersfield to a Pakistani father and a British-Pakistani mother. He moved to Scotland at age seven, but his heritage could complicate the visa process. Cricket Scotland CEO Trudy Lindblade acknowledged the uncertainty on Monday, stating, “The visa piece is always slightly an unknown, and it doesn’t matter whether you’ve got three days or whether you’ve got 45 days.”
Lindblade emphasized the collaborative effort underway, saying, “We are all committed [to] working with the ICC to make that happen…[The ICC] can only give us the assurances of the bits that they can control…they’re working with the BCCI and local people on the ground there to make sure that we are getting all of that support that we need.”
Squad Changes and Preparations
Scotland has made three changes to its roster since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Nineteen-year-old Afghanistan-born fast bowler Zainullah Ihsan is poised for his international debut, while Tom Bruce, a former New Zealand international, has switched allegiance to Scotland. Chris Sole will be absent from the squad, focusing on a career in recruitment.
The team is also preparing for potential disruptions by applying for visas for two travelling reserves and three non-travelling reserves. Steve Snell, Cricket Scotland’s head of performance, praised the ICC’s support, stating they had been “fantastic” in assisting with the rapid preparations. Snell also noted that they anticipate support from the BCCI, adding, “you’d suggest that Scotland being invited to attend the World Cup and then not being able to get there wouldn’t be a great look for anybody.”
Scotland’s warm-up schedule includes matches against Afghanistan and Namibia in Bengaluru on February 2 and 4, leading up to their crucial opening match against West Indies in Kolkata. Further first-round fixtures are scheduled against Italy, England, and Nepal, with the top two teams from Group B advancing to the Super 8s.
- Scotland is awaiting visa approvals for its players, particularly Safyaan Sharif, who has Pakistani heritage.
- The ICC is actively working to resolve the visa issues and ensure the team can participate in the T20 World Cup.
- Scotland has named a 15-man squad and is preparing for warm-up matches in Bengaluru.
- Three players are new to the squad since the 2024 T20 World Cup, including debutant Zainullah Ihsan and former New Zealand international Tom Bruce.
