Zimbabwean skipper Sikandar Raza has been consistently denied an Indian visa for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which could result in the Zimbabwean team boycotting the tournament, but latest reports have opened new possibilities.
Zimbabwe are led by Sikandar Raza, the all-rounder from the country who displays a stunning record in the shortest format of the game. He, alongside the veteran Brendan Taylor, will bring an abundance of experience to the squad.
Zimbabwe to boycott ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
Zimbabwe Cricket has been a constant part of the T20 World Cups and occasionally the ODI World Cups as well, under the presence of all-rounder Sikandar Raza and veteran cricketers Sean Williams and Craig Ervine, who have been the backbone of the side.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Zimbabwe were recently seen in T20 action in the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Pakistan last month, and they gave tough fights to the two oppositions, also winning a game against the T20 World Cup hosts, Sri Lanka.
Sikandar Raza was appointed the captain of the Zimbabwean team in the shortest format of the game, and he has led them from the front, excelling with both bat and ball at times. After the issues surfaced over his Indian visa, the Zimbabwean team were reported to consider boycotting the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup event.
The news has not been made official through Zimbabwe Cricket or the ICC, but was speculated over social media. However, Adam Theo, one of the senior journalists associated with Zimbabwe, has debunked the speculations and claimed that Zimbabwe Cricket has made no such calls.
Fake news. https://t.co/SPLHHfmEXb
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos) January 13, 2026
Sikandar Raza has been constantly denied a visa by the Indian authorities
Sikandar Raza, the Pakistan-born Zimbabwean captain who can be claimed as one of the greatest players from the country, has constantly been denied a visa by the Indian embassy. The visa issue has been a constant threat to India’s hosting rights in the T20 World Cup.
The nation, despite being the host, has been denying visas to players from different nations like the USA, Canada, Oman, Zimbabwe, and Italy, since these players have Pakistani passports. Sikandar Raza, too, has been caught up in the Indo-Pak issues, as he was born in Sialkot in Pakistan and hence, is a Pakistani citizen.
However, Sikandar Raza has formerly been to India and has also played in the IPL for the Punjab Kings in 2023 and 2024, and at that time he was permitted a visa by the authorities, but the recent ongoing feud between India and Pakistan have further constrained the circumstances.
Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup schedule
Sikandar Raza, who is currently featured in the SA20 league, will lead the Zimbabwean side in the upcoming T20 World Cup. This might also be the last ICC tournament for the 39-year-old Raza; however, he stands a chance to feature in the 2027 World Cup at home.
Zimbabwe have been placed in Group B alongside the co-hosts Sri Lanka, as a result of which they will play all their group matches in the island nation. They are scheduled to face Oman, Australia, Ireland, and Sri Lanka in the group-stage games.
Though all their matches are scheduled either in Colombo or Pallekele, they would still need an Indian visa, considering that if they qualify for the next stages of the game, then their remaining matches will be in India.
ALSO READ: Marcus Stoinis doubtful for T20 World Cup 2026 after massive injury in BBL
