In the recent developments coming in USA fast bowler Ali Khan has claimed his Indian visa application has been denied less than a month before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins, throwing a fresh layer of uncertainty over the Americans’ tournament build-up. Ali Khan is born in Pakistan and he has his roots back there. Although he represents USA but that could one reason why he has not yet got his VISA approved.
Ali Khan made a post on Instagram story that read, ‘India visa denied but KFC for the win,” effectively confirming he does not currently have clearance to enter the country for the India leg of the competition. Few other players like Mohammad Mohsin and Ehsan Adil could also face similar issue.
The timing is crucial for the USA because their Group A itinerary is mostly India based. USA are scheduled to face hosts India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7, followed by fixtures in Chennai against the Netherlands, Namibia. If the visa issue is not resolved quickly, USA could be forced into last-minute squad reshuffles at the point teams typically settle on combinations suppose the players don’t get the approval.
Ali Khan’s story on Instagram was a confirmation at this stage and as per multiple reports and social media chatter have suggested other USA cricketers including wicketkeeper-batter Shayan Jahangir and bowlers Ehsan Adil and Mohammad Mohsin may be facing similar hurdles. USA Cricket and the ICC have not issued a public statement yet, and the exact nature of the cases remains unclear. We could expect a clarification in the upcoming days.
For a long time, Visa complications have been a background concern for several associate teams in the lead up to the India-hosted matches, particularly involving players of Pakistani origin or with Pakistani documentation links, given the additional checks and processes each application can attract. In recent days, there has also been broader noise around travel and participation-related logistics for visiting teams, adding to the sense that off-field paperwork could become tough. Shoaib Bashir was one example during the England tour to India where he got the VISA but it was delayed.
Ali Khan is one of the lead pacer so losing a frontline seamer this close to the event would be a significant blow for USA’s hopes of pushing beyond the group stage. But they are hopeful that things may get sorted in the coming days and Ali Khan could get his VISA approved.
Ali Khan has made the denial public, but his next steps will be appeals, fresh applications, or intervention from tournament stakeholders and that will determine whether this becomes a short-term scare or a genuine competitive setback for the USA ahead of the tournament.
