Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: England wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow has voiced serious concerns about his family’s safety after being stranded in Dubai amid rising military tensions in the Middle East. Commercial departures from the United Arab Emirates have been halted following missile and drone strikes launched by Iran, leaving thousands unable to travel. The attacks are reportedly in response to joint Israeli and US operations in Tehran that led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday.Bairstow, 36, had travelled to Dubai for a family holiday and took to social media to clarify that he is not with the England Lions, contrary to speculation. The wicketkeeper-batter described the distress of trying to ensure his family’s safety while seeking a route back 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 appealed publicly to Emirates airline after his flight was cancelled. “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.He also responded directly to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the government’s statement on the crisis, writing, “Can you get us home???”On Saturday, Britain’s Foreign Office updated its travel advisory for the UAE as the security situation deteriorated. The guidance now reads: “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in the UAE should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel, and follow instructions from the local authorities.”The instability has also disrupted England’s cricketing schedule. The England Lions called off their 50-over fixture against Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. England women’s cricket team postponed their departure for a training camp in the Emirates, while the England cricket team are closely monitoring developments before travelling home from the T20 World Cup in India, a journey that was due to route through Dubai.In a statement issued 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.”
