The West Indies and Zimbabwe cricket teams are stranded in India after their exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 due to airspace closure in Dubai and the Middle East region amid the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
West Indies failed to qualify to the semifinals after their five-wicket loss to India on Sunday, while Zimbabwe crashed out after losing all their three Super Eight matches.
Both teams are unable to fly back home as thousands of international flights have been cancelled in the Gulf region, with the middle-east especially Dubai serving as a major transit hub. Moreover, there is uncertainty over the resumption of flight services due to escalation to the conflict.
“The Zimbabwe men’s team remains safe and well in India… the squad was scheduled to return home via Dubai,” Zimbabwe Cricket said in a social media post.
On the other hand, Cricket West Indies (CWI) said they were working with the ICC, cricket’s global body to make safe travel arrangements for the players and staff.
Earlier, the ICC, which is headquartered in Dubai had said that they are working on contingency plans for teams who were scheduled to transit from Dubai to their home countries.
“The safety and well-being of our players, coaches and officials remain our highest priority,” CWI added.
The first semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2026 between New Zealand and South Africa is on Wednesday, followed by the semifinal involving India and England on Thursday, and the final to be played on Sunday (March 8) in Ahmedabad. Once the tournament is over, apart from the West Indies and Zimbabwe – the return of South Africa, New Zealand and England to their home countries – would pose a concern for the ICC.
