Saqib Mahmood’s visa stuck, England in trouble before coming to India tour, training camp…

Last updated:January 14, 2025, 10:19 PM IST

India vs England: England’s preparations before coming to India tour have suffered a setback. Its pacer Saqib Mahmood, of Pakistani origin, has not got a visa for India.

New Delhi. England’s preparations before coming to India tour have suffered a setback. There is a delay in getting the Indian visa for Pakistani-origin England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood. For this reason he/she will not participate in the English team’s training camp in Abu Dhabi. A five-match T20 series will be played between India and England from January 22. After this, both the teams will play a three-match ODI series in February.

According to the report of website ‘Cricinfo’, Saqib Mahmood has not yet received the visa for India. his/her passport is with the concerned authorities as part of the visa process. However, England is hopeful that Shakib will also get the visa before the first group of players leaves for Kolkata. Saqib Mahmood has played two Tests, 9 ODIs and 18 T20 International matches for England.

This is not the first time that a cricketer of Pakistani origin has faced delay in obtaining a visa to India. England spinner Shoaib Bashir could not play the first Test in Hyderabad last year due to delay in getting the visa.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja also had to face such a situation during the Indian tour of 2023. According to the website, other players of the team of Pakistani origin Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid have got Indian visas.

England T20 team: Jos Buttler (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Braydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingston, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.