Visa failure sees Akeal Hosein ruled out of the West Indies side to play in the ongoing England T20i series.
Akeal Hosein out of T20I opener after visa failure.
West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein will not play in the first game of the T20I series against England, which begins in Chester-le-Street on Friday night, and may not play in the entire series. This is because he and fellow Trinidadian Jyd Goolie were unable to obtain the required visas to enter the United Kingdom.
Recent modifications to UK visa entrance procedures for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, which went into force on April 23 and May 12, 2025, prevented both men from visiting the nation. Due to these modifications, both athletes had to apply for visas and make requisite in-person appointments.
Hosein was permitted by Cricket West Indies to stay with Quetta Gladiators until the end of the Pakistan Super League late last month, but he was unable to fulfil these obligations.
Following Roston Chase’s appointment as Test captain, Goolie was called up as a last-minute substitute for the West Indies’ tour of Ireland last month, but he was unable to obtain a visa waiver in time.
Chase has been kept in the T20I squad for the duration of the England series, despite having been scheduled to depart for a training camp in Barbados prior to the upcoming home series against Australia.
Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, explained the situation. “As soon as the updated visa requirements were announced, CWI began the necessary application processes,” he said. “This was only possible after Akeal returned to Trinidad, and following the confirmation of Jyd’s selection to the Ireland squad.
“Akeal, who was selected for both the England and Ireland legs of the tour, was granted permission to fulfill his commitments with the extended Pakistan Super League until mid-May.
“Jyd was called up for the Ireland series … however, [he] was unable to secure the required visa waiver, as the transition period for Trinidad and Tobago residents had already expired.”