CricketEurope has received reports that seven members of the Afghanistan Under-19 squad in addition to a member of their coaching staff have also gone missing in Canada after the Under-19 World Cup Qualifier. It is thought that they plan to claim asylum.

We have received the names of the players but will not be publishing them unless we receive official confirmation. A poster on our international forum suggested that the national selectors selected relatives with the aim of allowing them to claim asylum.

This comes on the back of seven Ugandan players remaining in Canada after the rest of their squad went home. Cricket Canada issued the following statement on that issue today:

"Cricket Canada is aware that players representing Uganda in the ICC U19 Global Cricket World Cup Qualifier did not return home with their team.

We are also aware that the authorities are now investigating the matter. Cricket Canada will continue to monitor the situation and provide appropriate support and cooperation as necessary."

The willingness of some countries to give visas to visiting cricket teams was already lessened thanks to the incident involving Jimmy Okello and Patrick Ochan after WCL3 in Darwin in 2007, and it may prove difficult for players from some countries to find visas for future tournaments in certain countries.