Zimbabwe Cricket Team Returns Home Amid Travel Disruptions

Zimbabwe Cricket Team's Journey Back

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) announced that the senior men's team, which took part in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, is currently making its way back to Zimbabwe. This follows the International Cricket Council's (ICC) intervention to arrange alternative travel due to recent transit issues.

In a statement posted on X, ZC confirmed, "The Zimbabwe senior men's team participating in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is on their way home from India after the ICC facilitated new travel arrangements due to recent disruptions in transit."

The team will return to Harare in phases due to flight availability and adjusted routing. The first group of players left India on Wednesday, while the last group is expected to depart on Friday afternoon. The board will provide further updates as needed.

Impact of Regional Tensions on Flights

Zimbabwe concluded their tournament with a match against South Africa on Sunday and was scheduled to return to Harare on Monday via Dubai. The team had booked Emirates flights from Delhi to Dubai, with players and support staff set to travel in batches starting early Monday.

However, rising tensions in West Asia resulted in extensive airspace closures, leading airlines to suspend or reroute numerous flights, which left the team temporarily stranded in India. New routes and carriers are currently being considered.

This disruption follows missile exchanges involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which prompted several West Asian countries to temporarily close their airspace. This situation has impacted various international airlines and transit hubs, particularly Dubai, which is a crucial connection point for teams returning home after the tournament held in India and Sri Lanka.