Jay Shah-led ICC steps in to ensure Pakistan origin players and officials get India visas for T20 World Cup 2026

The Jay Shah-led International Cricket Council (ICC) has stepped in to ensure that players and officials of Pakistan origin receive Indian visas in time for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

According to information accessed by PTI, the ICC is facilitating visa formalities for around 42 players and officials of Pakistani nationality or origin who are part of different international teams set to feature in the marquee tournament.

Several full-member and associate nations have players of Pakistan origin in their squads. England have spinners Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, along with pacer Saqib Mahmood. The United States have Ali Khan and Shayan Jahangir, while the Netherlands have Zulfiqar Saqib in their squad.

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Canada staff member Shah Saleem Zafar has also been granted clearance. Visas for England players Rashid, Rehan and Saqib have already been approved. Members of the Netherlands squad have also received their visas, as per the report.

“The ICC exercise covers cricketers, officials and standby personnel across multiple teams, underlining the governing body’s attempt to pre-empt any last-minute complications ahead of the global event. The ICC, which is overseeing the coordination process, has remained in constant communication with Indian High Commissions in multiple cities across continents,” the report stated.

“The aim has been to ensure that visa applications for the remaining players and officials are handled efficiently and without procedural delays.”

Why did ICC intervene?

The development comes days after reports suggested that some USA cricketers of Pakistani origin, including Ali Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin and Ehsan Adil, were awaiting visa clearance. While social media speculation hinted at visa denial, reports later clarified that the applications were still under review and had not been rejected.

The Indian authorities usually take some time to review visas for people of Pakistani origin or nationality due to security concerns. David Headley, a US citizen of Pakistani origin, had managed to secure an Indian visa and film locations in Mumbai in 2008 that were later targeted by terrorists during the 26/11 attacks.

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Recent political and military tensions between India and Pakistan could also be a reason behind the intense scrutiny. The Pakistan cricket team, meanwhile, will play all its matches in Sri Lanka, the second venue chosen after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to travel to India for the World Cup.

(With inputs from agency)