With their T20 World Cup campaign concluded, the Zimbabwe cricket team now faces uncertainty over their return journey following the closure of Dubai airport amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Most of the squad, led by Sikandar Raza, were scheduled to depart from Delhi in three batches starting Monday morning. However, those plans have been put on hold. Head coach Justin Sammons confirmed the situation after Zimbabwe’s final Super Eights clash against South Africa.
Adding to the uncertainty is Graeme Cremer, who is based in Dubai and now finds himself directly impacted by the shutdown of major Middle Eastern airports. The team was originally set to transit through Dubai for their onward travel.
When asked whether the worsening geopolitical situation had distracted the players, Sammons admitted it was difficult to completely block it out.
“You’d still believe that the focus is on the game. But at the end of the day, I’m sure it’s in the back of everyone’s minds — you’re going home, but how you’re going home, when you’re going home,” Sammons said.
“So it’s still there. The conversations are happening in the groups. You can see that. But I still believe they had full focus on the game when they stepped over that rope.”
He added that no further clarity had been communicated to the team following Sunday’s match.
“When we started the game, there wasn’t anything. And obviously now, it’s just been focused on the game. I’ve not heard anything since,” he said.
With Dubai airport closed, one alternative being explored for players and support staff is routing through Addis Ababa via Ethiopian Airlines.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Saturday that it is working on contingency flight arrangements for players and officials returning from the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, following disruptions linked to recent US strikes on Iran.
Meanwhile, South Africa — still alive in the tournament — are preparing for their semifinal in Kolkata on March 4. Head coach Shukri Conrad acknowledged that the situation in the Middle East has been a frequent topic of discussion within the squad.
“It comes up in every conversation. You can’t wish it away. It is there,” Conrad said. “But with our manager and the ICC, we firmly believe the right decisions will be made. All our focus is on Kolkata and playing New Zealand on Wednesday.”
As teams navigate the final stages of the tournament, off-field uncertainties have added an unexpected layer of complexity to an already intense World Cup campaign.
