USA Cricket Visa Update: 4 Players Under Review for T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup: Why USA’s Pakistan-Born Cricketers Face India Visa Delays

Confusion has gripped the international cricket community following reports that four key players of the United States national team were denied entry to India for the T20 World Cup 2026. While social media posts from star pacer Ali Khan suggested a rejection, official sources and the ICC have clarified that the applications have not been rejected.

The board clarified that the applications are undergoing a ‘prior reference’ security review. This high-stakes hurdle involves players like Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin, and Ehsan Adil, whose participation remains uncertain just weeks before the tournament begins on 7 February.

Administrative Review vs. Outright Denial

The story of the visa denial began after Ali Khan posted a photo with the caption "India visa denied." However, the truth at the Indian High Commission is different. On 13 January, the four players went to their appointments. They were told their visas could not be processed “at this stage."

In Indian immigration law, this is a major distinction. Anyone born in Pakistan must undergo a mandatory security check. This applies even if they hold a US passport. This check involves several government departments, and it usually takes between 15 and 90 days to complete. The USA team is now in a race against time as they are supposed to play the opening match against India soon.

Why Is the Prior Reference Process a Risk for the T20 World Cup?

Fans want to know why these athletes face difficulties. The answer is India’s strict security rules for people born in Pakistan. This rule is a standard protocol for the Indian government. However, this creates a massive risk for the USA Cricket team. If these players do not get cleared in the next two weeks, the team loses its best bowlers. 

Ali Khan is a specialist in the final overs, while Ehsan Adil has played Test cricket before. They are very hard to replace. Other countries like Canada and the UAE have players in the same situation. If the government does not speed up the process, the T20 World Cup could lose its best stars. This would also hurt local businesses and fans who bought tickets to see these specific players.

Currently, the ICC is talking to the Indian government to help the players. However, nobody knows the final result yet. This problem shows that sports and security rules often clash. In the future, the ICC may need to get special permission for players months in advance in order to prevent last-minute stress for the teams and the fans.