A spiritual journey of a star cricketer is now feeling the effect of the ugly war in the Middle East. Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim is currently stranded in Jeddah after flight operations across the Gulf region were disrupted following escalating tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran. The 38-year-old had travelled to Makkah for Umrah and was on his way back to Dhaka via Dubai when airspace closures forced his flight to turn back.
Mushfiqur Rahim shares emotional update
On Saturday, Mushfiqur Rahim posted on his Facebook page, seeking prayer for his situation. Alongside thousands of passengers, he is stuck in Jeddah, coming back from the Umrah Hajj.
“Assalamualaikum all..I came to macca for the umrah hajj couple of days back…Alhamdulillah had finish my hajj and heading back to Bangladesh via Dubai ( emirates) today..we have flown this morning from jeddah to dubai via EK 0806 but unfortunately due to the war between USA , ISRAEL AND IRAN all the flight has returned to Jeddah and now I am in jeddah airpot including thousand of passengers…Only Almighty Allah knows when and how we will be able to go to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshi people. Seeking Prayers.“
The disruption is because of US strikes on Iran and subsequent escalation in the region, prompting several countries to shut down portions of their airspace. Major airlines, including Emirates and Air India, have either cancelled or rerouted flights.
Air India confirmed it had suspended services to and from key Gulf destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh and Tel Aviv until further notice.
While Rahim’s situation worrisome, the larger aviation disruption is also being felt in the cricketing world. Several international players and officials rely on Gulf hubs, particularly Dubai, as transit points. With the IPL 2026 season around the corner, franchises are closely monitoring the situation as uncertainty over overseas player arrivals continues.
Cricket
IPL 2026 faces new challenge as overseas players remain uncertain due to Middle East tensions
