Safyaan Sharif Visa Clearance Key Concern as Scotland Prepare for Late T20 WC 2026 Entry

Scotland’s late entry into the T20 World Cup 2026—following the removal of Bangladesh over their refusal to travel to India—has brought urgent logistical challenges for the team, particularly regarding visas for Pakistan-origin pacer Safyaan Sharif, Cricket Scotland officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Sharif, born in Huddersfield to a Pakistani father and British-Pakistani mother, moved to Scotland at the age of seven and has developed into one of the national team’s cornerstone players. Over a distinguished career spanning 90 ODIs and 75 T20Is, he has claimed 198 international wickets, establishing himself as a prolific strike bowler and a vital asset for Scotland’s pace attack.

The late timing of Scotland’s inclusion in the tournament has placed pressure on the team management to ensure all visas and travel logistics are completed promptly. Cricket Scotland chief executive Trudy Lindblade said that visa approvals for Sharif and other players were now the immediate priority. “The visa piece is always slightly an unknown, whether you’ve got three days or 45 days. Over the last 48 hours, our focus has been getting those visas done so our players are ready to go,” Lindblade told ESPNCricinfo.

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She further added that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has assured Scotland that it is working closely with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian authorities to facilitate visas for all participating teams. “There is a team working very hard not just to help us but to help 19 other teams as well that are also going to a World Cup. But they are giving us intense focus right now,” Lindblade noted.

Visa approvals for players of Pakistani origin have historically been a sensitive issue, and similar hurdles have been faced in the past by teams such as England and the United States, who had players with Pakistani heritage requiring special clearance to travel to India. Cricket Scotland is navigating this challenge carefully to ensure Sharif’s participation without delay, as missing him could severely impact the team’s competitiveness in the tournament.

In addition to visas, Scotland is also working on travel arrangements, accommodation, and practice schedules to ensure the squad is fully prepared for the World Cup, which begins February 7, 2026. The team will arrive in India just days before the tournament, adding urgency to the coordination of all logistical and administrative tasks.

The late inclusion of Scotland in the World Cup highlights broader challenges in international cricket, where geopolitical sensitivities and last-minute changes can have ripple effects on player availability, tournament scheduling, and team preparation. Officials emphasised that a collaborative effort between national cricket boards, the ICC, and host countries is critical in ensuring smooth participation for all teams.

For Sharif, who has been a stalwart of the Scottish pace attack and has consistently delivered in high-pressure games, securing a timely visa will be crucial to Scotland’s campaign. Cricket fans in Scotland and around the world are watching closely as the management works against the clock to finalise arrangements for the team’s historic participation in the T20 World Cup 2026.

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