Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid have not had visas issued for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, starting on February 7.
Sky Sports News understands that the delay means both players – who are of Pakistani heritage – will not travel with the rest of the squad to Sri Lanka this weekend for warm-up games, which include three ODIs and three T20Is.
It is understood that as things stand both players will travel to India for England’s first game against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.
The England & Wales Cricket Board are understood to be working with the Indian government, BCCI and ICC to resolve and expedite the issue.
Visa delays for Pakistani heritage players travelling to play cricket in India is not an uncommon issue. Shoaib Bashir missed England’s first Test against India two years ago due to delays, while Saqib Mahmood has had similar issues.
It is understood that there is no objection from the Indian government to issue visas and the ECB are confident they will be able to travel in time for the start of the tournament.
Harry Brook will captain the England white-ball team in the T20 World Cup
England play three ODIs and three T20s in Sri Lanka from January 22, and white-ball captain Harry Brook may have limited spin options at his disposal.
Liam Dawson is the only other specialist spinner in the squad, and Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell may be required to do more bowling than expected if the absent duo do not arrive in time to play in the matches.
England white-ball tour to Sri Lanka – January and February
First ODI (Thursday January 22) – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (9am)Second ODI (Saturday January 24) – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (9am)Third ODI (Tuesday January 27) – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (9am)First T20 (Friday January 30) – Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele (1.30pm)Second T20 (Sunday February 1) – Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele (1.30pm)Third T20 (Tuesday February 3) – Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele (1.30pm)
2026 Men’s T20 World Cup – full fixtures
All times UK and Ireland
Group stage
Saturday February 7
Pakistan vs Netherlands (Colombo, 5.30am) – Group AWest Indies vs Bangladesh (Kolkata, 9.30am) – Group CIndia vs USA (Mumbai, 1.30pm) – Group A
Sunday February 8
New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Chennai, 5.30am) – Group DEngland vs Nepal (Mumbai, 9.30am) – Group CSri Lanka vs Ireland (Colombo, 1.30pm) – Group B
Monday February 9
Bangladesh vs Italy (Kolkata, 5.30am) – Group CZimbabwe vs Oman (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group BSouth Africa vs Canada (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm) – Group D
Tuesday February 10
Netherlands vs Namibia (Delhi, 5.30am) – Group ANew Zealand vs UAE (Chennai, 9.30am) – Group DPakistan vs USA (Colombo, 1.30pm) – Group A
Wednesday February 11
South Africa vs Afghanistan (Ahmedabad, 5.30am) – Group DAustralia vs Ireland (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group BEngland vs West Indies (Mumbai, 1.30pm) – Group C
Thursday February 12
Sri Lanka vs Oman (Kandy, 5.30am) – Group BNepal vs Italy (Mumbai, 9.30am) – Group CIndia vs Namibia (Delhi, 1.30pm) – Group A
Friday February 13
Australia vs Zimbabwe (Colombo, 5.30am) – Group BCanada vs UAE (Delhi, 9.30am) – Group DUSA vs Netherlands (Chennai, 1.30pm) – Group A
Saturday February 14
Ireland vs Oman (Colombo, 5.30am) – Group BEngland vs Bangladesh (Kolkata, 9.30am) – Group CNew Zealand vs South Africa (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm) – Group D
Sunday February 15
West Indies vs Nepal (Mumbai, 5.30am) – Group CUSA vs Namibia (Chennai, 9.30am) – Group AIndia vs Pakistan (Colombo, 1.30pm) – Group A
Monday February 16
Afghanistan vs UAE (Delhi, 5.30am) – Group DEngland vs Italy (Kolkata, 9.30am) – Group CAustralia vs Sri Lanka (Kandy, 1.30pm) – Group B
Tuesday February 17
New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai, 5.30am) – Group DIreland vs Zimbabwe (Kandy, 9.30am) – Group BBangladesh vs Nepal (Mumbai, 1.30pm) – Group C
Wednesday February 18
South Africa vs UAE (Delhi, 5.30am) – Group DPakistan vs Namibia (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group AIndia vs Netherlands (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm) – Group A
Thursday February 19
West Indies vs Italy (Kolkata, 5.30am) – Group CSri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group BAfghanistan vs Canada (Chennai, 1.30pm) – Group D
Friday February 20
Australia vs Oman (Kandy, 1.30pm) – Group B
Super 8s
Saturday February 21
Y2 vs Y3 (Colombo, 1.30pm)
Sunday February 22
Y1 vs Y4 (Kandy, 9.30am)X1 v X4 (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm)
Monday February 23
X2 vs X3 (Mumbai, 1.30pm)
Tuesday February 24
Wednesday February 25
Y2 vs Y4 (Colombo, 1.30pm)
Thursday February 26
X3 vs X4 (Ahmedabad, 9.30am)X1 vs X2 (Chennai, 1.30pm)
Friday February 27
Y1 vs Y2 (Colombo, 1.30pm)
Saturday February 28
Sunday March 1
X2 v X4 (Delhi, 9.30am)X1 vs X3 (Kolkata, 1.30pm)
Knockout rounds
Wednesday March 4
Semi-final 1 (Kolkata or Colombo, 1.30pm)
Thursday March 5
Semi-final 2 (Mumbai, 1.30pm)
Sunday March 8
Final (Ahmedabad or Colombo, 1.30pm)
