There’s a war like situation out there in the Middle East. Most of the countries are getting affected and with that, life of sports and sportspersons aren’t going smooth as well. T20 World Cup participants are stranded in India, which is a safer space. But for Jonny Bairstow, it is much more difficult as he is in that part of the world, currently dubbed as “war zone”.
The England wicketkeeper-batter has revealed a worrying development from Dubai, where he remains stranded with his young family amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. With commercial departures from the UAE halted following reported missile and drone strikes by Iran, thousands have been left grounded and Bairstow is among them.
Contrary to earlier speculation, the 36-year-old clarified that he is not with the England Lions squad currently in the region. Instead, he is in Dubai on a personal trip, trying to navigate a the deteriorating security situation. The England Lions, meanwhile, are in Abu Dhabi.
“Can you get us home???” — Bairstow’s public appeal
Taking to social media, Bairstow made an emotional appeal. Responding directly to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statement on the crisis, the cricketer wrote: “Can you get us home???”
A day earlier, Bairstow had also publicly reached out to Emirates airline after his flight was cancelled, stating that there had been no communication following the disruption. The UK’s Foreign Office has since updated its travel advisory for the UAE, urging British nationals to shelter in place due to reported missile activity.
Cricket
After Zimbabwe, the West Indies team marooned in India after T20 World Cup exit
