Zimbabwe Cricket Team Stranded in India Amid Middle East Airspace Closure

Despite their campaign ending with a final Super 8 match against South Africa in New Delhi on Sunday, March 1, the squad remains stranded in the Indian capital. The sudden escalation of the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran led to the immediate closure of key Middle Eastern airspaces, rendering their original flight path through Dubai unsafe.

The team was originally scheduled to depart Delhi for Harare via Dubai in three separate batches starting early Monday morning, March 2. However, with Emirates and other major Gulf carriers suspending flights or rerouting around the conflict zone, the "Chevrons" have been forced to extend their stay at a Delhi hotel until at least March 4. Zimbabwe’s head coach, Justin Sammons, noted that while the players remained focused on their final match during the field of play, the geopolitical crisis and uncertainty regarding their return journey had been weighing heavily on everyone's minds.

In response to the crisis, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has activated a comprehensive contingency plan and established a dedicated "Travel Support Desk" to assist teams and officials. Since the Gulf hubs—particularly Dubai International Airport (DXB)—are critical transit points for international cricket logistics, the ICC is now working with global airlines to secure alternative routes through Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. While Zimbabwe waits for a resolution, other teams like Pakistan were able to return home more smoothly, as they traveled directly from Colombo to Lahore via SriLankan Airlines, bypassing the affected Gulf region.