US visa delay holds back departure of Kusal Mendis, Asitha Fernando

Kusal Mendis

Asitha Fernando

The Sri Lanka cricket team for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, left yesterday morning without two of the players who are yet to receive their visa for travel from the US Embassy.

Top order batsman Kusal Mendis and travelling reserve fast bowler Asitha Fernando had to stay behind while the rest of the squad took wing to New York via Dubai.

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva confirming the delay in the issuing of the visas said that the Embassy had requested for submission of more documents from the two players. “They would be issued the visas within a day or two and they will travel to the USA to join the team,” said De Silva.

The delay in leaving for the USA will not impact the players’ participation in the T20 World Cup but possibly their training schedule.

Sri Lanka are due to play two warm-up games before they meet South Africa in their opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup in New York on 3 June.