ICC facilitates India visas for Pakistan-origin players ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken charge of coordinating visa formalities for players and officials of Pakistan origin travelling to India for the T20 World Cup. In total, 42 players and officials are part of this process. These individuals are spread across several participating teams. The move is aimed at avoiding last-minute issues.

In the England squad, players of Pakistan lineage include Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed and Saqib Mahmood. The USA team features Ali Khan and Shayan Jahangir, while the Netherlands are represented by Zulfiqar Saqib. According to PTI, visas for Rashid, Rehan and Saqib have already been approved. Members of the Netherlands squad have also received clearance.

Canada staff member Shah Saleem Zafar has been granted his visa as well. Meanwhile, visa procedures are ongoing for players and officials of Pakistan nationality or origin from teams such as the UAE, USA, Italy, Bangladesh and Canada. The process is moving steadily towards completion. The deadline for issuing all visas is January 31.

ICC Works Closely With Indian Authorities

Visa appointments for the remaining players and officials have been scheduled for early next week. This indicates that the process has entered its final stage. These early clearances are seen as a positive sign given the wide range of teams involved. Players of Pakistani descent feature across both full-member and associate nations.

The ICC’s coordination covers not only players but also officials and standby staff. This broad approach shows the council’s effort to prevent any travel-related problems before the tournament. The ICC has been in constant touch with Indian High Commissions across different countries. The focus has been on smooth handling of all pending applications.

The council has received assurances that the remaining visas will be processed within the set timeline. With the tournament set to begin on February 7, the ICC believes logistical preparations are on track. However, it is understood that visa applications from individuals of Pakistan origin require more scrutiny and usually take longer to process.