Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid have not been granted visas for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7.
Sky Sports News understands that the postponement means that both Pakistani players will not travel to Sri Lanka with the rest of the squad this weekend for warm-up matches, including three ODIs and three T20Is.
As things stand, it is understood that both players are scheduled to fly to India for England’s first match against Nepal on February 8 in Mumbai.
The England & Wales Cricket Board is understood to be working with the Indian government, BCCI and ICC to resolve and expedite the issue.
Visa delays for traditional Pakistani players traveling to play cricket in India are not an uncommon problem. Shoaib Bashir missed England’s first Test against India two years ago due to delays, while Saqb Mahmood had similar problems.
The Indian government has said it has no objections to granting a visa, and the ECB is confident that he will be able to travel in time for the start of the tournament.
Harry Brook named captain of England white-ball team at T20 World Cup
England play three ODIs and three T20s in Sri Lanka from January 22, but white-ball captain Harry Brook may have limited spin options at his disposal.
Liam Dawson is the only other specialist spinner in the team, and Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell could be asked to bowl more than expected if the absent duo are not fit for the match.
England white ball tour to Sri Lanka – January and February
1st ODI (Thursday 22nd January) – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (9am) 2nd ODI (Saturday 24th January) – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (9am) 3rd ODI (Tuesday 27th January) – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (9am) 1st T20 (Friday 30th January) – Palekele, Palekele Cricket Stadium (1.30pm) 2nd T20 (Sunday 1 February) – Palekele, Palekele Cricket Stadium (1.30pm) Third T20 (Tuesday 3 February) – Palekele, Palekele Cricket Stadium (1.30pm)
2026 Men’s T20 World Cup – Full Match Schedule
UK and Ireland all the time
group stage
Saturday, February 7th
Pakistan vs Netherlands (Colombo, 5.30am) – Group A West Indies vs Bangladesh (Kolkata, 9.30am) – Group C India vs USA (Mumbai, 1.30pm) – Group A
Sunday February 8th
New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Chennai, 5.30am) – Group DE England vs Nepal (Mumbai, 9.30am) – Group CS Sri Lanka vs Ireland (Colombo, 1.30pm) – Group B
Monday, February 9th
Bangladesh vs Italy (Kolkata, 5.30am) – Group C Zimbabwe vs Oman (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group B South Africa vs Canada (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm) – Group D
Tuesday, February 10th
Netherlands vs Namibia (Delhi, 5.30am) – Group ANew Zealand vs UAE (Chennai, 9.30am) – Group D Pakistan vs USA (Colombo, 1.30pm) – Group A
Wednesday, February 11th
South Africa vs Afghanistan (Ahmedabad, 5.30am) – Group DA Australia vs Ireland (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group B England vs West Indies (Mumbai, 1.30pm) – Group C
Thursday, February 12th
Sri Lanka vs. Oman (Kandy, 5.30am) – Group B Nepal vs. Italy (Mumbai, 9.30am) – Group C India vs. Namibia (Delhi, 1.30pm) – Group A
Friday, February 13th
Australia vs Zimbabwe (Colombo, 5.30am) – Group B Canada vs UAE (Delhi, 9.30am) – Group DUSA vs Netherlands (Chennai, 1.30pm) – Group A
Saturday February 14th
Ireland v Oman (Colombo, 5.30am) – Group B England v Bangladesh (Kolkata, 9.30am) – Group C New Zealand v South Africa (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm) – Group D
Sunday February 15th
West Indies vs. Nepal (Mumbai, 5.30am) – Group CUSA vs. Namibia (Chennai, 9.30am) – Group A India vs. Pakistan (Colombo, 1.30pm) – Group A
Monday, February 16th
Afghanistan vs UAE (Delhi, 5.30am) – Group DE England vs Italy (Kolkata, 9.30am) – Group California vs Sri Lanka (Kandy, 1.30pm) – Group B
Tuesday, February 17th
New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai, 5.30am) – Group D Leland vs Zimbabwe (Kandy, 9.30am) – Group B Bangladesh vs Nepal (Mumbai, 1.30pm) – Group C
Wednesday, February 18th
South Africa vs UAE (Delhi, 5.30am) – Group DP Pakistan vs Namibia (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group A India vs Netherlands (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm) – Group A
Thursday, February 19th
West Indies vs. Italy (Kolkata, 5.30am) – Group CS Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe (Colombo, 9.30am) – Group B Afghanistan vs. Canada (Chennai, 1.30pm) – Group D
Friday, February 20th
Australia vs Oman (Kandy, 1.30pm) – Group B
super 8
Saturday, February 21st
Y2 vs Y3 (Colombo, 1:30pm)
Sunday February 22nd
Y1 vs Y4 (Kandy, 9:30am)X1 vs X4 (Ahmedabad, 1:30pm)
Monday, February 23rd
X2 vs X3 (Mumbai, 1.30pm)
Tuesday, February 24th
Wednesday, February 25th
Y2 vs Y4 (Colombo, 1.30pm)
Thursday, February 26th
X3 vs X4 (Ahmedabad, 9.30am)X1 vs X2 (Chennai, 1.30pm)
Friday, February 27th
Y1 vs Y2 (Colombo, 1.30pm)
Saturday, February 28th
Sunday March 1st
X2 vs X4 (Delhi, 9.30am)X1 vs X3 (Kolkata, 1.30pm)
knockout round
Wednesday, March 4th
Semi-final 1 (Kolkata or Colombo, 1.30pm)
Thursday, March 5th
Semi-final 2 (Mumbai, 1.30pm)
Sunday, March 8th
Final (Ahmedabad or Colombo, 1.30pm)
