Saqib Mahmood's visa delay disrupts England's training for India tour
What's the story
England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood's visa has been delayed, forcing him to miss a training camp in the UAE.
The development comes just ahead of England's white-ball series in India.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) hopes that the problem will be resolved before the team leaves for Kolkata, where India and England wil lock horns in the first T20I.
Visa complications
Mahmood's visa issues: A recurring problem for England cricketers
Mahmood's visa delay isn't an isolated incident, but part of a recurring problem for England cricketers of Pakistani heritage.
Last year, Shoaib Bashir couldn't play England's first Test match in Hyderabad due to similar visa issues.
In 2019, Mahmood himself was replaced in an England Lions squad touring India due to delays in the visa process.
Optimism
ECB optimistic about Mahmood's visa approval
Though the ECB hasn't officially commented on Mahmood's situation, it is reportedly confident that he will get his visa in time to join the team.
Other Pakistani-descent players in the England T20I squad, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, have already got their visas.
Despite the setback, Mahmood was expected to train with the likes of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood at a bowling camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of the India tour.
Career highlights
Mahmood's career and recent achievements
Mahmood has played 29 matches for England across formats.
His career was derailed following his Test debut in 2022 with back-to-back lower-back stress fractures.
However, he made a comeback with a match-winning spell in The Hundred final last year.
Mahmood was also adjudged the Player of the Series during England's T20Is in the Caribbean in November.