Visa Concerns Arise for USA Cricket Team Ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
A potential diplomatic snag threatens to disrupt preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup, as USA fast bowler Ali Khan, of Pakistani origin, has publicly stated he has been “denied” an Indian visa. The development casts a shadow over the USA’s campaign, which is slated to begin against defending champions India in Mumbai on February 7, 2026.
Khan revealed the issue in a caption to a story on his Instagram account on Tuesday, but offered no further specifics. ESPNcricinfo reports having contacted the USA team manager for comment, but a response has not yet been received.
The USA team is currently undergoing a training camp in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as they finalize their squad for the tournament. While the 15-man roster has yet to be announced, it is anticipated to be drawn from the 18 players currently participating in the camp. The selection process is being led by the USA coaching staff, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) overseeing team administration and logistics following the suspension of USA Cricket late last year.
Khan, 35, is one of three players of Pakistani origin currently training in Colombo, alongside Ehsan Adil, a former Pakistan Test player, and Mohammad Mohsin. The ICC has not issued an official statement regarding Khan’s visa situation, but sources indicate the governing body is actively working to resolve the matter and remains “confident it will be resolved.”
The visa complications extend beyond the USA squad. Several associate teams – including Oman, UAE, and Italy – are closely monitoring the situation, given the likelihood of their own squads including players of Pakistani origin or with Pakistani nationality.
England is also facing similar challenges, with squad members Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, both of Pakistani heritage, still awaiting their visas. The process for these players is further complicated by the requirement to apply for visas in person; Ahmed is currently competing in Australia’s Big Bash League, while Rashid is based in Dubai.
The ICC informed all participating teams last September that securing visas for India and Sri Lanka, the co-hosts of the tournament, would be the responsibility of individual cricket boards. However, in the case of the USA, with USA Cricket currently suspended, that responsibility now falls to the ICC.
Worsening diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have contributed to increased visa difficulties in recent years, even for athletes who are not citizens of either country. Previous instances include delays for England’s Shoaib Bashir and Saqib Mahmood, as well as Australia’s Usman Khawaja, though all were eventually granted visas. The Pakistani team also experienced visa delays prior to their participation in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
The USA earned direct entry into the 2026 T20 World Cup after a strong performance in the 2024 tournament, reaching the Super Eights stage. Their schedule includes three of four Group A matches in India, beginning with the highly anticipated clash against India in Mumbai on February 7, followed by a match against Pakistan in Colombo on February 10, and further contests against the Netherlands and Namibia in Chennai on February 13 and 15, respectively. The unfolding visa situation underscores the complex logistical challenges facing teams as they prepare for the global cricket event.
