Jay Shah. Image Credits: X
The world has not been the same since Saturday. In the early hours on February 28, the USA and Israel launched a joint operation on Iran, targeting several areas in the capital city, Tehran. Moments after the attack, Iran too launched missiles in retaliation and targeted gulf nations where the USA had their bases and used these locations to launch an attack.
The tensions grew in no time, and the Middle East found itself in a war, where several citizens were stranded because the UAE is one of the biggest transit hubs in the world. At present, the airspace is closed, and people are having difficulty returning to their homes.
World Cup 2026 Teams Having Difficulty Returning Homes
So far, Zimbabwe and West Indies have expressed that they are stuck India due to war and will return home once the gulf nations reopen their air-spaces. The Sikandar Raza-led side are currently stranded in Delhi as they were scheduled to depart for Zimbabwe via Dubai.
Meanwhile, the Shai Hope-led side bowed out of the tournament after a defeat against India on March 1 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Windies too had a stop in the UAE before heading to the Caribbeans. However, they are also stuck in India and waiting for clearance to return home.
UAE's Travel Plan Disrupted Amid Iran-USA War
In a significant development, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team's travel plans to Nepal have been affected amid the war in the Middle East. Notably, the Muhammad Waseem-led side were due to fly to Kathmandu on Friday, March 6 for a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series involving Nepal and Oman.
At present, the situation is tense in the West Asia region, and most of the Gulf nations, including the UAE, have closed their airspace, which has put the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in a dilemma whether their side will be able to travel in time or the Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series will be postponed for the second time.
“We are in touch with the series organisers and waiting to determine when the team can travel,” said a spokesman for the ECB.
Why Is Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series Important For UAE?
For the uninitiated, the Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series serves as a qualification pathway for the 2027 ODI World Cup. South Africa and Zimbabwe have qualified as the hosts.
Meanwhile, the top eight-ranked teams will earn direct qualification. The remaining four spots will be decided through the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, which is why the upcoming CWC League 2 tri-series is important for the UAE.
Cricketers Struck in Middle-east due to war
England cricketer Jonny Bairstow is also trapped in Dubai. Bairstow, who is on holiday with his family, took to social media to ask UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he could help them return home.
England Test captain Ben Stokes and former all-rounder Andrew Flintoff are currently in Abu Dhabi with the England Lions squad. Their scheduled match against Pakistan Shaheens was cancelled due to the security situation in the region.
Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim too got stuck in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as he was there for a pilgrimage. He took to social media platform to update about his whereabouts.
“Unfortunately due to the war between USA, ISRAEL AND IRAN all the flight has return to Jeddah and now i am in jeddah airpot including thoushand of passengers…when and how we will able to go to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshi people,” Rahim wrote on his Facebook page.
In the latest events, Rahim has safely returned home but the tensions continue to be at an all-time high in the middle-east.
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