England pacer Saqib Mahmood is yet to receive his visa to join the squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of India. The England Cricket Board (ECB) had to cancel his flight as his passport remains with the Indian Embassy, leaving him stranded in England with just a week left before the tour begins.
As per a report by ‘Daily Mail’, Mahmood has been unable to train due to freezing weather in England. The ECB had organized a pace bowling camp in the UAE, attended by Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, and Jofra Archer, who departed on January 9. Fast bowling mentor James Anderson is also overseeing the camp.
The England team is set to depart for India on January 17. Mahmood is still awaiting a resolution to the visa issue, casting doubt on his participation in the tour. The ECB has declined to comment on the matter and has not released an official statement.
Born in 1997 to British-Pakistani parents, Saqib Mahmood faced entry restrictions in India during Lancashire’s 2024 tour. He encountered similar issues in 2019, which prevented him from traveling with the England Lions squad for a subcontinent tour.
England’s India tour kicks off with the first T20I on January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Mahmood has been included in both the ODI and T20I squads for the series, as well as the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
England’s Bashir, Ahmed Faced Visa Hurdles on 2024 India Test Tour
England spinners Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed faced visa complications during the five-match Test series against India in early 2024. Bashir was stuck in the UAE and missed the opening Test in Hyderabad but made his debut in the second Test in Vizag after resolving the issue.
Rehan Ahmed, meanwhile, was detained at Rajkot airport due to a single-entry visa. Although the issue was resolved, he withdrew from the series for personal reasons after being part of the reserves during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Ahmed has secured his visa for the current tour.
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