The USA cricket team has suffered a setback ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup after the Indian government rejected the visa application of fast bowler Ali Khan. With less than a month left for the tournament, the rejection has created uncertainty for the team, especially as the World Cup is scheduled to be held in India.
Ali Khan revealed the development through a post on social media. On Monday, he shared an Instagram story showing him sitting inside a KFC outlet, holding a piece of chicken, with the caption, "India visa not given, but KFC for the win." Neither the Indian government nor the International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued an official statement on the matter so far.
Why was Ali Khan's visa rejected?
According to reports, the visa was denied due to Ali Khan's background. He is of Pakistani origin, and the Indian government does not issue visas to Pakistani nationals or individuals with links to Pakistan. This is believed to be the reason behind the rejection, although it has not been officially confirmed.
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Reports also suggest that other USA players, including wicketkeeper-batsman Sayan Jahangir, bowler Ehsan Adil, and Mohammad Mohsin, could face similar visa-related issues, though no such cases have been reported yet.
What lies ahead for the USA team?
The USA team has been placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup and is scheduled to play its opening match against India on February 7 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The team will then face the Netherlands and Namibia. If the visa issue is not resolved soon, the USA may be forced to make changes to its squad.
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As for Ali Khan, he can apply for the visa again or seek government-level intervention. A possible appeal by the US government to Indian authorities could also influence the situation, depending on diplomatic considerations.
