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England cricketer Jonny Bairstow has opened up about his worry for his family after being stuck in Dubai because of rising military tensions in the Middle East.
Flights leaving the United Arab Emirates have been suspended after Iran carried out missile and drone attacks. The strikes are believed to be in response to joint Israeli and US operations in Tehran that reportedly led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday. With air travel disrupted, thousands of people have been left unable to leave the country.
Bairstow, 36, had travelled to Dubai on a family holiday. He made it clear on social media that he is not with the England Lions squad, as some had assumed. The wicketkeeper-batter said his main focus right now is keeping his young family safe and finding a way back home to the UK.
“For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team…I am not. I am with my young family in Dubai…sure the England Lions security staff will be doing all they can to get them out of Abu Dhabi, but I am trying to keep my family safe and get us out of here!!” he wrote on X on Monday.
A day earlier, Bairstow had reached out publicly to Emirates after his flight was cancelled, saying he had not received any update from the airline despite trying to get in touch. “We haven’t had any communication post-flight, getting cancelled. Tried the lines of communication, but nothing. Could someone please be in contact?” he posted.
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He also directly responded to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the government issued a statement about the situation, asking, “Can you get us home???”
On Saturday, the UK’s Foreign Office updated its travel advice for the UAE as security concerns grew. The new guidance asked British nationals in the country to stay indoors, avoid travel and follow instructions from local authorities because of reported missile attacks.
The tension in the region has also affected England’s cricket plans. The England Lions called off their 50-over match against Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. England Women have delayed their trip to the UAE for a training camp. Meanwhile, the England men’s team is keeping a close watch on the situation before travelling back from the T20 World Cup in India, as their route was expected to go through Dubai.
In a statement on Saturday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said, “The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the Government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.
“Tomorrow’s second 50-over game between England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead, and we are delaying the departure of England Women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.”
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