USA players of Pakistani origin await visa clearance ahead of T20 WC

The players, who are currently in Sri Lanka with the USA squad as part of their final phase of preparation for the February tournament, completed their visa appointments on Tuesday (January 13). While visas were not issued at the appointment stage, it is understood that there has been no formal rejection, and officials have indicated that the applications remain under review as part of established operating procedures.

"They had the appointment this morning at the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka. They completed the paperwork as per what ICC had asked them to prior to the appointments. At the appointment, the players were informed that the visas could not be processed at this stage. Later in the evening, USA management received a call from the Indian Embassy indicating that some of the required information had been received, while additional inputs were still awaited from the Foreign Ministry. Once that process is complete, they will be contacted to proceed further. That is the current status" said the source.

Officials familiar with the matter stressed that this review process is standard for special-category cases and is being handled in accordance with Indian government protocols. The situation attracted public attention after Ali Khan posted an Instagram story referencing 'visa denial', which prompted speculation across social media platforms.

Visa reviews involving players of Pakistani origin have historically involved additional administrative layers, regardless of nationality or team affiliation. Similar processes have applied in the past to international cricketers such as Moeen Ali, Shoaib Bashir and Usman Khawaja when travelling to India. Sources close to the process reiterated that applications are active and under consideration, and that timelines in such cases often extend beyond initial appointments.

Importantly, the same procedures apply across all teams participating in the World Cup. Squads from countries such as the UAE, Canada, Oman and Italy, all of which include players of Pakistani origin and are expected to follow identical protocols.

The visa issue adds to a growing list of uncertainties surrounding the tournament. The lead-up to the World Cup has already been marked by administrative friction, most notably the unresolved impasse between Bangladesh Cricket Board and the ICC over Bangladesh's reluctance to tour India for its scheduled World Cup fixtures.

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