Visa "Delay vs. Denial" Row Hits T20 World Cup Prep: USA, Oman, and UAE Stars in Limbo

With less than a month to go before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off, a cloud of uncertainty has descended over several participating teams. A growing number of Pakistan-born cricketers representing nations like the USA, UAE, and Oman are facing significant hurdles in securing visas for the India leg of the tournament.

While initial social media posts sparked panic about mass visa "denials," official sources maintain that the applications are merely undergoing the standard—albeit rigorous—security protocols required for applicants of Pakistani origin.

The Flashpoint: "Visa Denied"

The controversy erupted earlier this week when USA pacer Ali Khan, a vital cog in the American bowling attack, posted a story on Instagram captioned, "India visa denied but KFC for the win."

The post sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, raising fears that the USA would be without key players for their crucial Group A opener against India at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7. Reports indicate that three other Pakistan-born USA players—Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin, and Ehsan Adil—are in a similar predicament.

Official Stance: Delayed, Not Denied

Despite the players' fears, officials have moved quickly to downplay the "denial" narrative. Sources within USA Cricket and the ICC have clarified that the visas have not been formally rejected.

Instead, the applications are currently "under review." Under Indian visa regulations, applicants born in Pakistan (regardless of their current nationality) must undergo additional administrative vetting. This process often involves clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs, which naturally takes longer than standard applications.

Wider Impact: A Headache for Associate Nations

The issue extends far beyond the United States squad. Several Associate nations rely heavily on expatriate talent, and the delay threatens to disrupt the preparations of multiple teams:

• UAE & Oman: Both squads feature multiple players with Pakistani roots who are awaiting clearance.

• Zimbabwe: Captain and star all-rounder Sikandar Raza, born in Sialkot, is also subject to these protocols, though his high profile and frequent travel to India for the IPL may smooth his process.

• Others: Players from Canada, Nepal, and the Netherlands could face similar scrutiny.

Why It Matters

For teams like the USA, the unavailability of players like Ali Khan would be catastrophic. Khan was instrumental in the USA’s historic run to the Super 8s in the previous World Cup. With the USA scheduled to play three of their four group matches in India (against India, Netherlands, and Namibia), their absence would severely compromise the competitive integrity of the group stages.

The Road Ahead

The affected players are currently in Sri Lanka (the tournament co-host) awaiting a resolution. While history suggests these issues are usually resolved at the eleventh hour—as seen with England's Shoaib Bashir and Australia's Usman Khawaja in previous tours—the ticking clock is adding immense pressure on the players and their management.