England's Saqib Mahmood secures visa for India tour after delay

After several days of delays, England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood has finally received his visa for the upcoming white-ball series in India, set to begin on January 22.

Mahmood, originally from Pakistan, has faced visa issues on multiple occasions in the past. Back in 2019, he was unable to join the England Lions tour of India due to similar delays. Last year, England spinner Shoaib Bashir also missed the first Test against India in Hyderabad due to visa problems, forcing him to return home to resolve the matter.

This time, while Saqib was granted his visa, the delay caused him to miss England's training camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In contrast, fellow players of Pakistani heritage in the squad, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, had no trouble obtaining their visas.

Saqib had been scheduled to attend a pace bowling camp in Abu Dhabi, where England's fast bowlers, including Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Saqib himself, were set to train under the guidance of fast bowling consultant James Anderson. However, due to the visa delays, Saqib missed the camp.

The Lancashire bowler, who made his international debut in February 2020, has represented England in nine One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals, claiming 38 wickets across formats. His most recent appearance came in November 2024 during England's T20I series against the West Indies, where he was named Player of the Series after taking nine wickets in four games at an impressive average of 10.55 and an economy rate of 6.33.

England's tour of India includes five T20Is and three ODIs, with the first T20I scheduled for January 22 in Kolkata.