International Team Grants Citizenship To 5 Players Amid Rashid Khan's BCCI Leak

Rashid Khan in action for Afghanistan [Source: AFP]

Amidst the high-octane IPL 2026 in India, several significant developments in the world of cricket have been making headlines over the past couple of days. This includes an account of arguably one of the most influential Afghan stars opening up to receiving offers from high-profile boards to switch international allegiance.

While Rashid Khan rejected the offers amid the torrid period Afghanistan is going through as a nation, several other cricketers from the sub-continent have officially obtained citizenship and could potentially represent the UAE in the coming time.

Rashid Khan recollects offers to play for India and Australia

In his upcoming book, Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom, the most successful T20 bowler of all-time, with over 700 wickets, made a shocking revelation about having an opportunity to play for the international giants, India and Australia.

Amid the tough situation in Afghanistan, Rashid was notably asked to settle down in India with his family while playing for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 season, where he could have had a big chance to play for India. He did not open up a lot about Australia’s offer, but briefly mentioned such an incident taking place.

“I received such offers (citizenship and playing) from both Australia and India. But I told them, 'If I don't play for my country, I won't play for any other country either,” he wrote in the book.

He also spoke to a high-ranking BCCI officer, who had called to meet him with the prospect of switching international allegiance during the IPL.

“I went over and greeted him. We started talking, and he said: 'The situation in your country (Afghanistan) is very bad. Come stay in India. We will give you Indian documents, live here, play cricket here.' I was surprised by what he was saying and didn't know how to respond. But I smiled and said, 'Thank you very much. I am playing for my country, Afghanistan," he added.

Also Read: Afghanistan Head Coach Reacts To Rashid Khan Hinting Retirement

Five cricketers given UAE citizenship

In the first-ever such incident in the UAE, five overseas cricketers, aspiring to play international cricket, have been granted citizenship through naturalisation. Previously, no cricketer has been given a UAE passport in this manner, while players from other sports like football, rugby and judo have received such citizenship.

Ahead of this groundbreaking moment, which could open the door for more overseas players to play for the UAE, the nation relied on the ICC’s eligibility criteria of players residing in the country for over three years. This has seen several expats from Asia represent the UAE at the global stage.

In UAE's upcoming tour of Nepal, where they will play two T20Is and an ODI tri-series involving Oman, Khuzaima Tanveer, Ajay Kumar, Akshdeep Nath, Harpreet Bhatia and Adeeb Usmani are included in the 17-man squad.

Former IPL stars to play for UAE

Among those granted permits to play for the UAE are Akshdeep Nath and Harpreet Bhatia, who have been on the Indian cricketing circuit for over a decade.

Akshdeep Nath, who has represented Uttar Pradesh in over 200 matches across formats for over 6,500 runs, has played for the Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab (now PBKS), and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, making 14 appearances. He last played for UP in 2024.

Harpreet Bhatiam has represented Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in close to 300 domestic matches with over 11700 runs at a healthy average. 

He has played for Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings across 9 IPL matches as well. His latest appearance for MP had come in December of 2025 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Crying In Corner, Helplessly Consoled By KKR Players