Lions cricket tour scrapped amid T20 World Cup after Middle East missile strikes as statement issued
The England and Wales Cricket Board has scrapped the remainder of the England Men’s Lions cricket tour against Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi amid growing security fears across the Middle East.
The governing body simultaneously confirmed that the planned England Women’s T20 World Cup training camp in the Gulf region will not proceed.
Both cancellations follow Iran launching missile attacks targeting Israel and other Middle Eastern nations, marking a dramatic escalation in regional tensions.
The ECB announced on Saturday that the Lions’ second 50-over fixture against the Shaheens, scheduled for Sunday, would not take place, prompting the immediate termination of the entire tour.
The missile strikes are understood to represent Tehran’s response to military operations conducted by American and Israeli forces on Saturday morning, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Andrew Flintoff’s development squad had enjoyed considerable success prior to the abrupt end of their tour, which commenced last month.
The Lions secured a comprehensive 3-0 series victory over the Shaheens in the T20 matches and claimed victory in the opening one-day international in Abu Dhabi last Friday.
The regional instability has now brought an end to what had been a productive campaign for England’s emerging talent.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has scrapped the remainder of the England Men’s Lions cricket tour against Pakistan Shaheens
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REUTERS
The disruption has extended well beyond the touring party.
Former England batsman Jonny Bairstow revealed he is currently stuck in Dubai alongside his family following a holiday.
Bairstow was not a member of the Lions squad but finds himself among more than 100,000 British nationals who have registered their presence in the region and may need to be evacuated.
Commercial aviation across the Middle East has been severely disrupted since the air strikes began on Saturday.
The cancellations follow Iran launching missile attacks targeting Israel and other Middle Eastern nations
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REUTERS
Extensive airspace closures grounded numerous flights.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has created significant knock-on effects throughout the Gulf, including the UAE.
The ECB released a statement confirming they are “working to get everyone home as soon as possible”.
It read: “The remainder of the England Men’s Lions’ tour has been cancelled, and we are working to get everyone home as soon as possible.
The ECB announced on Saturday that the Lions’ second 50-over fixture against the Shaheens, scheduled for Sunday, would not take place
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REUTERS
They added: “We have ruled out the possibility of England Women’s T20 World Cup camp taking place in Abu Dhabi given the instability across the Gulf.”
Regarding the women’s programme, the governing body indicated that it began exploring alternative arrangements over the weekend to allow the squad to achieve equivalent preparation outcomes, with further details to follow once plans are finalised.
Cricket West Indies has also experienced disruption.
They announced that the departure of their senior men’s team from India following their T20 World Cup exit has been postponed due to international airspace restrictions.
