Pakistan-born USA pacer Ali Khan claims Indian visa denial ahead of T20 World Cup

USA pacer Ali Khan has claimed that he was denied an Indian visa ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, with the 35-year-old revealing the development through an Instagram story from his official account on Monday.

According to multiple reports, Shayan Jahangir, Ehsan Adil and Mohammad Mohsin, who are all part of the USA’s 18-man squad currently touring Sri Lanka for preparatory matches ahead of the tournament, were also denied Indian visas.

All four players were born in Pakistan but the rejection of visa applications for Khan and Jahangir has drawn particular attention, as both are United States citizens and passport holders. In contrast, Adil and Mohsin hold only Pakistani passports are in contention on the basis of residency is the US.

Khan and right-handed batter Jahangir have been regular members of the USA national setup, while Adil and Mohsin are yet to make their international debuts for the side.

Ali Khan has featured in 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the USA, claiming 33 wickets in ODIs and 16 in T20Is. He was part of the USA squad at the 2024 T20 World Cup and played in the group-stage match in which the USA defeated Pakistan in a Super Over.

Overall, Khan has played 99 T20 matches, taking 93 wickets. He represented the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the first three seasons of the ILT20 and turned out for the Gulf Giants in the 2025–26 season.

The USA are yet to announce their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, though Khan was expected to be in contention.

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’s R Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Stadium, and Pallekele.