After their T20 World Cup campaign ended, a group of Zimbabwean cricketers were stranded in New Delhi due to the shutdown of Gulf airspace. The ICC changed their flight plans to avoid the conflict-ridden area.
After an incredible T20 World Cup in which they defeated Australia and Sri Lanka to advance to the Super Eights, Zimbabwe were eliminated last week.
Due to the closure of airspace in the Gulf region after the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, they were unable to depart on March 2. On Wednesday, the first group of players took alternate flights home.
“Zimbabwe Cricket confirms that the Zimbabwe senior men’s team participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 are on their way home from India after the International Cricket Council secured alternative travel arrangements following recent transit disruptions,” the board said in a statement on ‘X’.
“Due to flight availability and revised routing, the squad will return to Harare in batches. The first group of players departed India today, Wednesday, while the final group is scheduled to leave on Friday afternoon,” it added.
The original plan was to take an Emirates aircraft to Zimbabwe via Dubai, but it had to be changed. According to information obtained, Zimbabwe cricketers are currently making their way to Harare via Adis Ababa, Ethiopia.
For the same reason, the West Indies cricket team was also stuck in India; however, their travel arrangements have not yet been announced.
