Scotland’s cricket team, included in the T20 World Cup after Bangladesh’s withdrawal, faces potential visa issues for its Pakistan-origin players, according to Indian media reports.
Following their inclusion by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Scotland began preparations to ensure timely arrival in India for the tournament. However, concerns have emerged over the visa of fast bowler Safyaan Sharif, who may face difficulties compared to other team members.
Previously, the United States and England teams experienced challenges in obtaining visas for their Pakistan-origin players, raising fears that Sharif could encounter similar obstacles.
Cricket Scotland Chief Executive Trudy Lindblad told Cricinfo that securing visas is currently the administration’s top priority. “Visa processing can be unpredictable; sometimes it takes three days, other times up to 45. Over the past 48 hours, our full focus has been on confirming visas so that our players are ready to travel,” she said.
She added that applications are being submitted and the team will reach India as quickly as possible. Lindblad confirmed that the ICC is coordinating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and local authorities to ensure timely visas for all players attending the World Cup.
Scotland’s Sharif was born in Huddersfield to a Pakistani-origin father and a Pakistani-origin British mother. He moved to Scotland at the age of seven and has since become a key player for the national team, featuring in 90 One Day Internationals and 75 T20 matches and taking 198 wickets.
Bangladesh had withdrawn from the tournament over security concerns for its players, leading to Scotland’s inclusion. The T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on February 7, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
