Key Takeaways
- Pakistan-born USA fast bowler Ali Khan has been denied an Indian visa ahead of the T20 World Cup
- The denial of the visa raises uncertainty over Ali Khan’s availability for matches scheduled to be played in India during the tournament
- Ali Khan has played 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the USA, taking 33 wickets in ODIs and 16 in T20Is
- The USA are scheduled to play three of their four group matches in India, including their opening match against India on February 7
- The T20 World Cup 2026 will be held from February 7 to May 8 across five venues in India and three venues in Sri Lanka
Introduction to the Issue
The upcoming T20 World Cup has been marred by a controversy surrounding the participation of Pakistan-born USA fast bowler Ali Khan. The 35-year-old, who was born in Pakistan’s Punjab, has been denied an Indian visa, raising uncertainty over his availability for matches scheduled to be played in India during the tournament. This news was shared by Ali Khan himself on Instagram Stories, where he posted a picture of himself with the caption, "India visa denied but KFC for the win." The denial of the visa has come as a surprise, given Ali Khan’s impressive record in international cricket, including 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the USA, where he has taken 33 wickets in ODIs and 16 in T20Is.
Ali Khan’s Cricket Career
Ali Khan has had a successful cricket career, playing 99 T20 matches and taking 93 wickets. He has represented Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the first three seasons of the ILT20 and played for Gulf Giants in the 2025-26 season. His experience and skills make him a valuable asset to the USA team, and his absence could be felt in the upcoming tournament. Ali Khan was part of the USA squad at the 2024 T20 World Cup and featured in the group match in which the USA defeated Pakistan in a Super Over. This experience will be crucial in the upcoming tournament, and his denial of an Indian visa has raised concerns about the team’s chances.
T20 World Cup Schedule and Venues
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be held from February 7 to May 8 across five venues in India – Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai – and three venues in Sri Lanka – Colombo (R Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Stadium) and Pallekele. The USA are placed in Group A along with India, Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands. They are scheduled to play three of their four group matches in India, including their opening match against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7. The USA will then face Pakistan on February 10 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Namibia on February 13 and 15 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Implications of the Visa Denial
The denial of an Indian visa to Ali Khan has significant implications for the USA team. With three of their four group matches scheduled to be played in India, Ali Khan’s absence could be a major blow to the team’s chances. The USA have not yet announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, but Ali Khan was expected to be in contention. The team will now have to consider alternative options to replace Ali Khan, which could disrupt their preparations for the tournament. The visa denial has also raised questions about the selection process and the criteria used to grant visas to international players participating in the tournament.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the denial of an Indian visa to Pakistan-born USA fast bowler Ali Khan has raised uncertainty over his availability for matches scheduled to be played in India during the T20 World Cup. Ali Khan’s impressive record in international cricket and his experience in the T20 format make him a valuable asset to the USA team. The T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held from February 7 to May 8 across five venues in India and three venues in Sri Lanka, and the USA are placed in Group A along with India, Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands. The implications of the visa denial are significant, and the USA team will have to consider alternative options to replace Ali Khan. The situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by international players participating in global tournaments, and the need for clear and transparent selection processes and visa criteria.