Adil Rashid will fly to Sri Lanka with his international team-mates on Sunday, alleviating fears that England will be undermanned in the spin department as they warm-up for the Twenty20 World Cup.
Delays by Indian authorities in issuing visas to wrist-spinners Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, both of whom are of Pakistani heritage, had placed tournament preparations in doubt, leading to England and Wales Cricket Board officials lobbying the UK and Indian governments over the past 18 hours, in addition to the International Cricket Council and Indian board, in a bid to expedite the process.
Ahmed will remain with Hobart Hurricanes at the Big Bash League until the red tape has been unraveled, although the ECB remain hopeful he too will be on the ground with the squad ahead of the first of six white-ball internationals versus Sri Lanka in Colombo on January 22.
Deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan have led to multiple similar situations involving England players in recent times.
Two years ago, Shoaib Bashir was forced to return to London to finalise his visa application, forcing him out of the first Test.
With that episode fresh in mind, the ECB acted in a timely manner, arranging appointments for Rashid and Ahmed in Dubai and Australia respectively once the ICC had sent on invitation letters to both players. Rashid was in the United Arab Emirates while on franchise duty at the ILT20.
Indian authorities delayed Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed’s visa applications for the World Cup
The ECB received correspondence from the Indian government confirming there is no objection to the two players in question on Wednesday evening, meaning they are now in the hands of Indian cricket chiefs and the world governing body.
Several teams including the United States are known to have been exasperated by experiencing similar issues and there is considerable angst within cricket’s wider community that this has been allowed to happen unchecked ahead of a global event.
England’s first World Cup fixture is against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on February 8, four days after they are scheduled to arrive from Sri Lanka.
Rashid, a double World Cup winner, is England’s leading wicket-taker in the format and integral to any hopes of a surprise third 20-over title being secured in a winter that featured a rock-bottom Ashes series. He is viewed as a cornerstone of both England’s white-ball teams.
Hampshire slow left-armer Liam Dawson is the other frontline spinner for a trip in which spin will play a hugely influential role.
