The ICC announced on Thursday that the final group of South African and West Indian players who were stuck in India following the T20 World Cup had left, ending a crisis brought on by the closure of Gulf air space following the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The ongoing conflict disrupted travel plans, leaving the South African and West Indian teams stranded in Kolkata due to the closure of air space and airports at major transit points like Dubai.
On March 1 and 4, respectively, the West Indies and South Africa played their last T20 World Cup games in Kolkata. The remaining 16 West Indies cricketers were scheduled on commercial flights, although 9 had already departed earlier this week. Additionally, a 29-person Proteas contingent has left.
“Within the past 24 hours, South Africa’s remaining 29 members and the West Indies’ final 16 members have departed on flights to their respective homelands, bringing to a close a complex operation that has taken place under exceptionally challenging global travel conditions,” PTI quoted ICC as saying.
The ICC further stated that the “safe onward travel for all players and staff was the sole aim” necessitated ongoing modifications as circumstances changed.
”Throughout this period, the ICC’s operations and logistics teams have worked continuously with governments, airlines, charter providers, airport authorities and our Member boards to navigate a number of operational disruptions caused by the evolving environment.”
South African cricketers Quinton de Kock and David Miller, as well as former England captain Michael Vaughan, had earlier criticized the ICC, implying that England players were given superior travel arrangements because they could depart within a day of their semifinal elimination.
Daren Sammy, the head coach of the West Indies, had earlier voiced his dissatisfaction with the governing body’s lack of updates following the cancellation of a charter flight that was supposed to leave from Kolkata due to logistical problems.
Due to the closure of airspace over Dubai, Emirates, an airline partner of the ICC, has been unable to conduct flights.
