‘Just a matter of time’: Scotland confident visas will clear for T20 World Cup in India despite Pakistanorigin player in squad

NEW DELHI: Cricket Scotland chief executive Trudy Lindblade has played down concerns over visa delays for her players, including Pakistan-origin pacer Safyaan Sharif, expressing confidence that the squad will travel to India in time for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Scotland were drafted into the 20-team tournament following Bangladesh’s withdrawal over security concerns, a move the ICC took despite maintaining that there was no credible threat based on its assessments. The late inclusion has, however, compressed timelines, with visa processing emerging as the most immediate logistical hurdle ahead of Scotland’s opening match against the West Indies in Kolkata on February 7.

“We are all committed (to) working with the ICC to make that happen,” Lindblade was quoted by ESPNcricinfo, acknowledging that visas remain the biggest variable in the process. “The visa piece is always slightly unknown, and it doesnt matter whether youve got three days or whether youve got 45 days.” She said Cricket Scotland’s immediate focus has been on completing paperwork and submissions. “Certainly thats been our focus in the last 48 hours: just getting those visas done so our players are all ready to go. Theyre all in the middle of submitting their visas and we will be there on the ground in India as quickly as we can, so its just a matter of time now.”

Sharif, who was born in Huddersfield to a Pakistani father and a British-Pakistani mother before moving to Scotland at the age of seven, is among those expected to face extra scrutiny, with Pakistan-origin applicants typically subject to longer processing times. Lindblade, however, stressed that the ICC has provided assurances within its remit.

“(The ICC) can only give us the assurances of the bits that they can control,” she said. “Of the bits that they control, we are working with them and obviously theyre working with the BCCI and local people on the ground there to make sure that we are getting all of that support that we need.”

“So, absolutely, (they have given) the assurance that they can provide of things that were in their control. There is a team working very, very hard to not just help us, but to help 19 other teams as well. But we are their intense focus right now,” Lindblade added.

As a precaution, Scotland are also applying for visas for two travelling reserves and three non-travelling reserves. Head of performance Steve Snell said the expectation is that the process will be completed smoothly. “We [also] anticipate some support whenever we can [get it] from the BCCI,” he said, adding that Scotland being invited to a World Cup and then being unable to enter the host country “wouldnt be a great look for anybody.”

Scotland are scheduled to play warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia in Bengaluru on February 2 and 4 before beginning their Group B campaign, which also includes fixtures against Italy, England and Nepal.

Scotland squad for T20 World Cup: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.

Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis. Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear.

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