OUT IN THE COLD?

A number of talented players from beyond cricket’s mainstream would benefit from greater access to the sport’s established elite countries.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

The brilliant young leg-spinner won a lavish deal to play in the Indian Premier League this year, and then he had his earning potential enhanced when Afghanistan were upgraded from Associate to Full member status by the ICC. Immediately it made him eligible for the elite sportsperson visa in the UK. He is said to have plenty of potential suitors in county cricket.

Rohan Mustafa (UAE)

He went unsold in the Pakistan Super League draft this year, and he was then sounded out about being a replacement player for the final in Lahore, only to miss out again. The UAE captain, who has overseen the national team’s remarkable turnaround in fortunes this season, was further frustrated after having his visa application to play club cricket in the UK rejected.

Anshuman Rath (Hong Kong)

Like Mustafa, left-hander Rath is an outstanding batsman in the tier of the international game just outside Test cricket. The 19-year-old player has been part of the county set up with Middlesex for some time, while also attending Harrow School. An offer of a professional contract to play for them has met with complications, however, because of the visa process.