Indian government yet to issue visas to English spinners for T20 World Cup - Report
Their T20 World Cup campaign starts against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8 and it remains to be seen whether both players are cleared just in time for the marquee ICC event.
New Delhi: Team England's T20 World Cup preparations have been hit following Indian governments delay to issue visa to Pakistan-born spinners Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, as per a report published in news agency PTI. The delay means that both players, who belong to Pakistan, are unlikely to travel with the rest of squad this weekend for the six white-ball matches against Sri Lanka.
England play three ODIs and as many T20Is against the island nation and it still remains unclear when they will join their teammates. Both the English players are currently involved in different leagues around the world, with Rashid playing in the SA20 and Ahmed playing the Big Bash League in Australia. It is understood that they will be able to fly directly from theses locations once their visas are cleared by the Indian government.
ECB raises request with UK government
The England and Wales Cricket (ECB) has raised a request with the UK government to expedite the process as their preparations for the upcoming showpiece event starting on February 7 have been hampered following the visa delays. The ECB has also assured that there is no objection to their applications and thus sought assistance from the government.
With Rashid and Ahmed currently unavailable, Liam Dawson is the squad's only specialist spinner, meaning Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell may be required to bowl more than initially planned. The English team begins their tour to the island nation on January 22 with the first ODI match in Colombo.
Their T20 World Cup campaign starts against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8 and it remains to be seen whether both players are cleared just in time for the marquee ICC event. It also remains to be seen if England's group game against Bangladesh will take place in Kolkata, as their opponents have insisted they will not travel to India following the fallout involving Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladesh have threatened to pull out unless their matches are moved to a neutral venue, even as the BCCI hopes the original schedule will remain.
(With PTI inputs)