Zimbabwe stuck in India: Zimbabwe team to remain in India despite getting knocked out of T20 World Cup amidst Iran-US Israel war

Zimbabwe has become the first team to face logistical disruptions at T20 World Cup 2026 due to the closure of airspaces in the Middle East. Following their final match against South Africa on Sunday, the squad is now forced to remain in India for the foreseeable future. In response, tournament organisers are actively exploring alternative travel arrangements to ensure the safe return of the Zimbabwean contingent, as well as other departing teams scheduled to leave from India and Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe team stuck in India amidst Middle East tensions

According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, the original plan was for the Zimbabwe contingent to depart in batches, with the first group scheduled for an early Monday morning flight. They had been booked on Emirates flights routed from Delhi to Dubai, with a connection onward to Harare. Officials are currently assessing alternative routes and other airlines to facilitate a new journey home for the players and staff.

"No, not that I've heard of. When we started the game there wasn't anything. And now we've just been focused on the game, so I've not heard anything since,” Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan, who were knocked out of the tournament following their final Super Eight fixture on Saturday, managed to successfully return home. The team traveled from Colombo to Lahore via a SriLankan Airlines flight, avoiding the disrupted Gulf transit hubs that have left other teams grounded.

In an official statement, the ICC confirmed it is closely monitoring the developing situation regarding the Middle East airspace closures. The governing body has activated comprehensive contingency plans to ensure the travel, logistics, and overall well-being of all players, officials, and stakeholders involved in the T20 World Cup.

"While the crisis in the Middle East has no direct bearing on the conduct of the tournament, the ICC acknowledges that a significant number of personnel - including players, team management, match officials, broadcast teams, and event staff - rely on Gulf hub airports, particularly Dubai (DXB), as key transit points for onward travel to their home countries upon concluding their commitments at the event," the ICC said in a statement,” the ICC said in a statement.

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