By McGeorge Mbare
Current reports and rumours have been suggesting, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwe skipper, alongside several Pakistan-born players from associate nations, mainly from the USA team, have been denied visas to enter India for the tournament.
The circulating reports state , at least four players from the United States squad were allegedly barred from receiving Indian visas namely Ali Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Ehsan Adil, and Mohammad Mohsin.
The rumours emerged claiming Sikandar Raza had been denied an Indian visa because he was born in Pakistan.
Adding further fuel to the speculation, reports claimed Zimbabwe Cricket would not take the refusal of Sikandar Raza’s visa lightly and could boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 if he was not allowed to enter India.
“Zimbabwe will boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 if their skipper Sikanda Raza is refused an Indian visa,” HAS Sports wrote on Facebook.
Sikandar Raza was born on April 24, 1986, in Sialkot, Pakistan. He spent his early childhood there and was largely brought up in Pakistan before immigrating with his family to Zimbabwe in 2002.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs regulations, individuals born in Pakistan are required to apply for an Indian visa using a Pakistani passport, irrespective of their current nationality or place of residence
As a result, Sikandar Raza would have had to apply under this category, which reportedly led to complications.
According to One Cricket, the cricket boards of the affected nations have reportedly approached the ICC for assistance. The ICC has assured them that the visas will be cleared once proper verification of documents is completed.