England pacer Saqib Mahmood faces visa issues ahead of white-ball series against India

Pakistani-born English fast bowler, Sakib Mahmood, is facing visa complications for his upcoming tour to India. Sakib was supposed to travel to India to join the England team for the upcoming T20 series, but he has not yet been able to join the squad due to visa issues.

The 5-match T20 series between India and England is set to begin on January 22. The England cricket team will depart for India on January 17. Despite not having received his visa yet, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is hopeful that Sakib will obtain it before the team's departure.

This is not the first time Pakistani-origin players have faced difficulties in obtaining visas for travel to India. Previously, during a Test series in India, another English spinner of Pakistani descent, Shoaib Bashir, also faced visa issues. He ultimately missed the first Test of the series due to the delay in receiving his visa. Similarly, the Pakistan cricket team encountered significant challenges in obtaining visas for the 2023 ODI World Cup, raising concerns over whether they would be able to travel to India at all.

However, two other Pakistani-origin players in the England T20 squad, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, have not faced any visa issues, as they have traveled to India before.