The England cricket team is soon going to visit India, where a series of 5 T20 and 3 ODI matches will be played between India and England. This limited overs series will start from 22 January and end on 12 February. However, England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood is facing difficulties due to visa delay.
Delay in getting visa for Saqib Mahmood
27-year-old fast bowler Saqib Mahmood, who is of Pakistani origin, is yet to obtain a visa for India. Due to pending visa process, he will not be able to join the England team’s training camp in Abu Dhabi.
- ESPNcricinfo reports:
Saqib’s passport is deposited with the authorities for visa process, due to which he cannot go to Abu Dhabi at present. - Mahmood is expected to get the visa before the first batch of team players leaves for Kolkata.
The first T20 match between England and India will be played at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.
Visa delay common problem for players of Pakistani origin
This is not the first time that a player of Pakistani origin has been delayed in getting a visa to India.
- England spinner Shoaib Bashir:
Last year, there was a delay in getting his visa for the first Test match in Hyderabad. - Usman Khawaja of Australia:
He also faced similar problems during the Indian tour in 2023.
Other Pakistani origin players of England team
- English players of Pakistani origin like Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid have got Indian visas. He is with the team without any problem.
England team squads
England squad for T20 series:
- Captain: Jos Buttler
- jofra archer
- Gus Atkinson
- jacob bethel
- harry brook
- braydon carse
- ben duckett
- jamie overton
- jamie smith
- liam livingstone
- Adil Rashid
- Joe Root
- Saqib Mahmood
- Phil Salt
- mark wood
England squad for ODI series:
- Captain: Jos Buttler
- Rehan Ahmed
- jofra archer
- Gus Atkinson
- jacob bethel
- harry brook
- braydon carse
- ben duckett
- jamie overton
- jamie smith
- liam livingstone
- adil rashid
- Saqib Mahmood
- Phil Salt
- mark wood
