Middle East conflict live updates: ICC rejects 'uninformed' suggestions regarding post-World Cup departures of WI, SA teams

On Wednesday (March 11) morning, the ICC rejected any suggestions that the England team had received any special treatment concerning their earlier departure from India, compared to South Africa and the West Indies.

The full statement read:

"We understand that players, coaches, support staff and their families who have completed their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns are anxious to return home. That they have not yet been able to do so is a source of genuine frustration, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) shares that frustration.

"The delay is the direct result of the ongoing crisis across the Gulf region, which has caused widespread and continuing disruption to international air travel, including airspace closures, missile warnings, re-routing constraints, as well as the cancellation and rescheduling of both commercial and charter flights at short notice. These are conditions entirely outside the ICC's control, and they have made each travel solution significantly more complex and time-consuming than under normal circumstances.

"The ICC has been engaged continuously with airlines, charter operators, airport authorities, ground handlers, and government stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions to secure safe homeward travel for all affected groups as quickly as possible. That work remains ongoing.

"On current arrangements, the South Africa contingent will begin departing for South Africa tonight, with all members expected to have departed within the next 36 hours. Of the West Indies contingent, nine members are already travelling to the Caribbean, while the remaining 16 are booked on flights departing India within the next 24 hours. We will provide updates on further departures as confirmed arrangements are in place.

"The ICC rejects any suggestion that these decisions have been driven by anything other than safety, feasibility and welfare. Suggestions otherwise across a variety of media platforms from people uninformed of the situation are as unhelpful as they are incorrect.

"There is no link between arrangements made in the cases of South Africa and the West Indies and those made previously for England or any other nation, which arose from separate circumstances, routing options and different travel conditions.

"Throughout this period, the ICC's overriding priority has been the safety and welfare of everyone affected, including players travelling with spouses and young children. We will not move people until we are satisfied that the travel solution in place is safe, and that commitment will not change.

"We thank all players, management, boards and partners for their continued patience and cooperation in an exceptionally difficult situation. Our teams are working around the clock and remain in constant contact with team managers as circumstances continue to develop. We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves." 

A statement from the board said they advised the ICC that waiting for charter flights was "no longer prudent". 

Arrangements have now been made for the West Indies contingent to fly out on commercial flights. 

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan were originally scheduled to play two three-match white-ball series from March 13 to 25. However, with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the games are likely to be postponed, as per ESPNCricinfo.

After criticism from multiple quarters over why ICC arranged a charter flight for England soon after they were knocked out, while West Indies and South Africa remain stranded for much longer, the cricket governing body issued a clarification.

An ICC spokesperson told BBC: "Decisions on departure sequencing are being driven solely by airspace availability, aircraft routing permissions, visa requirements and operational safety considerations.

"Any suggestion that teams have been prioritised based on anything other than these constraints is incorrect."

The England squad flew back to London on a chartered plane following their semi-final exit from the T20 World Cup on Saturday, March 7. 

However, West Indies and South Africa, who played their last games on March 1 and 4, were only scheduled to leave on the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, as per ESPNCricinfo.

According to the report, the two teams were originally scheduled to leave on March 8, but the departure was postponed by two days. The two teams will take a charter flight to Johannesburg, from where the West Indies will fly out to Antigua.

UAE had been due to fly to Nepal, with Oman the third team involved in the tri-series.

As reported by The National, the organisers' statement said, “In light of the current situation in the Middle East, the CWC League 2 matches scheduled to begin on March 10 in Kathmandu have been postponed until further notice.”

"Glamorgan County Cricket Club can confirm that following consultation with all relevant parties, the Men’s Team pre-season tour to Oman has been cancelled due to ongoing unrest in the Middle East," read a statement from the club.

They are exploring alternatives to prepare for the 2026 season.

The England Lions squad, who were in the midst of a series against Pakistan Shaheens when the conflict escalated, have safely arrived home.

“We can confirm that the England Men’s Lions squad and UK-based coaching staff left Abu Dhabi this morning and are now safely back in the UK,” said the ECB in a statement.

“We are grateful to all those who provided assistance and advice while the squad were in Abu Dhabi, and who helped ensure their safe return.

“Our thoughts are with all those currently still in the Gulf who are seeking to return to the UK, and we hope they are able to get home soon.”

The UAE and Oman are scheduled to travel to Nepal for an ICC CWC League 2 tri-series, starting March 10.

UAE are due to fly to Nepal on March 6, as per The National, but the Emirates Cricket Board are yet to take a final call as they continue to monitor the ever-evolving situation.

The England women were scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi this weekend for a training camp ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. But that has been called off due to the conflict as well.

"England Women were due to fly to the region this weekend to play a series of intra-squad fixtures, with alternative venues now being explored," the ECB confirmed in a statement.

England Lions were on a tour of the UAE to play Pakistan Shaeens in three unofficial T20Is and five 50-over games in Abu Dhabi.

While the 20-over series was completed, only the first 'ODI' was possible before the conflict broke out. Initially, only the second 50-over game was cancelled, but now the entire series has been called off.

An ECB spokesperson said: “The remainder of the England Men’s Lions’ tour has been cancelled, and we are working to get everyone home as soon as possible."

Zimbabwe played out of their skins to reach the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup. But as their return was planned via Dubai, airspace closure scuppered their plans.

Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed in a statement that the team remains in India until further travel arrangements are made. It read:

"Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirms that the Zimbabwe senior men's team remains safe and well in India following the conclusion of their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The squad was scheduled to return home via Dubai, but travel plans have been affected by the evolving situation in the Middle East, which has disrupted key transit routes.

"The International Cricket Council (ICC) has activated contingency measures and is working with international carriers to secure alternative travel arrangements. ZC remains in constant communication with the ICC and team management on the ground to ensure the squad's safe and timely return."

The Cricket West Indies released an official statement announcing that the departure of their team from India after their elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026 has been delayed "due to international airspace restrictions."

The statement further read:

"These restrictions are a direct result of the security threats posed by military action in the Gulf Region, which has impacted several international flight routes and required airlines to adjust scheduled services for safety reasons.

"CWI is working closely with the International Cricket Council (ICC), relevant governmental authorities and airline partners to secure the earliest possible safe travel arrangements for the squad and support staff. The safety and well-being of our players, coaches, and officials remain our highest priority.

"The team is currently accommodated in India and remains safe and well. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as confirmed travel arrangements are finalised."

With the T20 World Cup nearing its conclusion, eliminated teams are stranded in India, with transit routes through the Middle East blocked.

The England Lions tour of the UAE has been cancelled, while a planned tour of the England women's team to the region stands cancelled as well for the time being.