Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed that spinner Akeal Hosein and young batter Jyd Goolie are facing unexpected delays in joining the national squad for the upcoming T20 International series against England and Ireland, starting Friday.
The delays are due to new UK visa entry requirements that have recently come into effect for Trinidad and Tobago nationals.
According to CWI, the United Kingdom implemented updated immigration rules on April 23 and May 12, 2025, requiring citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to obtain visas and attend in-person appointments before entry.
As a result, both Hosein and Goolie were unable to travel with the team as scheduled.
The board formally requested an expedited visa for Akeal Hosein and sought a visa waiver for Jyd Goolie.
However, CWI noted that these immigration procedures fall under the authority of UK border control and are beyond its jurisdiction.
Despite the setback, CWI remains hopeful that the matter will be resolved soon, with Hosein potentially joining the squad for the later stages of the T20 series.
In the meantime, all-rounder Roston Chase will continue to remain with the T20 squad for the full duration of the series.
Originally scheduled to leave early to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Australia in Barbados, Chase will now defer his return and provide vital support in the T20 setup.
Reporter: Waseem Ahmad