Akeal Hosein Faces Visa Issues Ahead
Hosein's absence from the opening match is a significant blow, but the CWI's efforts to resolve the issue may lead to his return for the remaining matches, potentially boosting the team's chances against England and Ireland.
West Indies' left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein will miss the opening match of their three-match Twenty20 series against England due to unresolved visa issues. Hosein, along with fellow Trinidadian Jyd Goolie, has been unable to meet the updated UK visa entry requirements that came into effect on April 23 and May 12.
The issue stems from Hosein's participation in the Pakistan Super League, which concluded late due to the India-Pakistan conflict. This delay prevented him from fulfilling the new visa requirements in time. Goolie, a late addition to the squad, was also unable to secure the required visa waiver as the transition period for Trinidad and Tobago residents had already expired.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) remains hopeful that the matter will be resolved in the coming days, allowing Hosein to join the squad for the remaining matches. The CWI has been working to expedite the visa process, but the outcome remains uncertain. The squad is scheduled to play against England and Ireland, with Hosein expected to join the team soon.
In the meantime, Roston Chase will remain with the T20 squad for the rest of the series before joining the Test team. The CWI's efforts to resolve the visa issues are ongoing, and an update on Hosein's status is expected in the coming days.
The West Indies team will be looking to bounce back from this setback and perform well in the series. With Hosein's potential return, the team's chances of success could improve, and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his status.