By Staff Reporter
Cricket Council USA Chairman Mahammad Qureshi has issued an urgent call to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), demanding immediate intervention to ensure fairness, equal treatment, and player security ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
In a strong statement, Qureshi expressed serious concern over visa denials affecting international players, particularly from the United States and Canada. According to Cricket Council USA, four players from the USA and two players from Canada have reportedly been denied visas, raising questions over equal access and fair participation for all qualified teams.
“This goes against the spirit of the World Cup,” Qureshi said. “Cricket is a global game, and every participating nation deserves equal treatment. Selective visa approvals undermine fair competition.”
The Chairman highlighted that while players from some cricketing nations face restrictions, others appear to receive smoother clearance, creating what he described as an uneven and discriminatory environment. He emphasized that such issues not only impact team preparations but also damage the credibility of a global ICC event.
Qureshi further stated that host nations must guarantee security, access, and non-discriminatory treatment for all teams and players. If these guarantees cannot be ensured, he questioned whether the country should continue as a host venue.
“If India cannot ensure equal security and access for all participating nations, then it raises a serious question about hosting the T20 World Cup 2026 there,” he added.
Cricket Council USA has urged the ICC to immediately review the situation, engage with relevant authorities, and ensure that the World Cup remains a truly inclusive and fair global tournament.
The issue has sparked debate within the international cricket community, with calls growing louder for transparency, consistency, and accountability in matters affecting player participation at the world’s biggest cricketing stage.
#CricketForAll #FairPlay #T20WorldCup2026
