With just over a week to go before the start of their T20I series against India, England has faced a setback as pacer Saqib Mahmood has yet to receive his visa for the tour. Mahmood, who has Pakistani origins, has not yet made his T20I debut for England but has played nine ODIs and two Tests.
The 27-year-old was scheduled to fly to the UAE to join fellow pace bowlers Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood for a camp supervised by legendary fast bowler James Anderson. However, according to the Daily Mail, the England Cricket Board (ECB) has canceled his flight since his visa is still pending.
It is unclear whether Mahmood will be able to travel to India for the series, and the ECB has not yet issued a statement on the situation.
“Mahmood was scheduled to leave for the UAE last Thursday for a pace bowling camp alongside Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood, but the ECB were forced to cancel his flight with his passport still in the hands of the Indian Embassy,” the report stated.
“Freezing conditions in the UK have left the 27-year-old unable to bowl outdoors, while his England teammates are training in Abu Dhabi under fast-bowling mentor Jimmy Anderson.”
The first T20I is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, in Kolkata, with the remaining T20Is to be played in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. Following the T20Is, three ODIs will be played next month.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
