Pakistan-origin England cricketer faces visa issues, ECB forced to cancel flight ahead of T20I series against India: Report

Pakistan-origin England cricketer faces visa issues, ECB forced to cancel flight ahead of T20I series against India: Report
England team mates Saqib Mahmood and Adil Rashid wait for the presentation after the 3rd T20I between England and Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford on July 20, 2021 in Manchester.

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Saqib Mahmood is yet to travel to UAE to join the fast-bowling group.

Saqib is yet to get his Indian visa.

The T20I series commences on January 22.

England's Pakistan-origin pacer Saqib Mahmood is yet to be granted visa for tour of India which begins on January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Mahmood was scheduled to leave for the UAE last week to join fellow pacers Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Mark Wood who are training under former cricketer and mentor James Anderson. However, the 27-year-old is still in England  due to visa-related issues. 

According to a report by The Daily Mail, the England Cricket Board (ECB) had to cancel his flight. The Warwickshire-born pacer has been unable to bowl in freezing conditions in the UK. He was expected to acclimitise to the conditions in the preparatory camp in the UAE. 

So far, it is not clear when will Mahmood be able to join the rest of the squad for the white-ball tour. Meanwhile, ECB is yet to make an official comment on the matter.

This is not the first time Mahmood has faced visa-related issues for India tour. Last year, Lancashire toured India without the services of Mahmood as the pacer did not apply for a visa. Also, in 2019, he could not be part of England Lions squad as ECB failed to obtain his visa.

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What happened on England's last tour of India?

Mahmood is not the first England cricketer of Pakistan-origin to face visa issues. On the last tour, Shoaib Bashir had to fly back to London to get his visa from the Indian embassy in London. As a result, he could not participate in the first Test of the series. In addition, ECB faltered and applied for a single-entry visa for Rehan Ahmed. The leg-spinner was held in Rajkot airport till the issue was resolved.

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Mahmood's T20I and ODI statistics

Mahmood has played 18 T20Is so far and taken as many wickets at an average of 30.61 including a four-wicket haul. His economy rate is 9.33 runs per over. He is a part of England's ODI squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as well. The 27-year-old has played nine ODIs and taken 14 wickets including a four-fer at an average of 26.85. His economy rate is impressive at 4.83 runs per over.  He is yet to play against India in any of the three formats on the international stage.