England’s Sri Lanka Tour Hit by Visa Delays for Key Spinners

England’s preparations for their upcoming white‑ball series in Sri Lanka — and the wider build‑up to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup — have been disrupted after two frontline spinners, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, were unable to secure their Indian visas in time for departure. Both players, who are of Pakistani heritage, require Indian clearance because the World Cup is being co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

What Happened

• Rashid and Ahmed are the only members of England’s 15‑man squad still awaiting visa approval, according to multiple reports.
• The delay means they will miss England’s departure this weekend for six warm‑up matches in Sri Lanka — three ODIs and three T20Is.
• The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been assured by Indian authorities that there is no objection to the applications, but the processing timeline remains uncertain.
• Both players are currently abroad — Rashid in South Africa’s SA20 league and Ahmed in Australia’s Big Bash — and are expected to fly directly to Sri Lanka or India once visas are issued.

Why the Delay Matters

• Players of Pakistani heritage have historically faced longer visa processing times when travelling to India due to political tensions between the two countries.
• Similar issues have affected other England players in recent years, including Shoaib Bashir and Saqib Mahmood.

Impact on England’s Preparation

• England begin their Sri Lanka series on 22 January, but will now have only one specialist spinner, Liam Dawson, available at the start of the tour.
• All‑rounders Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell may need to provide additional spin options.
• With the T20 World Cup less than a month away, the disruption adds pressure to head coach Brendon McCullum, already under scrutiny after recent poor tournament performances.

Looking Ahead

• England’s World Cup campaign opens on 8 February in Mumbai, against Nepal.
• The ECB remains confident that Rashid and Ahmed will receive their visas in time to participate in the tournament.