Zimbabwe Cricket Team To Stay In Delhi As Airspace Disruption Halts Return Post T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup 2026: The Zimbabwe Cricket Team's departure from India has been postponed due to the closure of airspace in certain areas of West Asia, which affected their intended return. Zimbabwe Cricket announced on Monday in a statement that the team is presently in Delhi, confirming that all players and support staff are safe while management arranges alternative travel plans.

"Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirms that the Zimbabwe senior men's team remains safe and well in India following the conclusion of their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The squad was scheduled to return home via Dubai, but travel plans have been affected by the evolving situation in the Middle East, which has disrupted key transit routes," Zimbabwe cricket stated.

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"The International Cricket Council (ICC) has activated contingency measures and is working with international carriers to secure alternative travel arrangements. ZC remains in constant communication with the ICC and team management on the ground to ensure the squad's safe and timely return," it added.

Zimbabwe concluded their tournament with a match against South Africa on Sunday and were scheduled to return to Harare on Monday via Dubai. The Zimbabwe team had reservations for Emirates flights from Delhi to Dubai and then to Harare, with players and support staff planning to depart in groups starting early Monday morning.

However, escalating tensions in West Asia led to widespread airspace closures, forcing airlines to suspend or reroute several services and leaving the team stranded in India for the time being. Alternative routes and carriers are now being explored.

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The disruption follows missile exchanges between the United States, Israel and Iran, prompting several countries in West Asia to shut their airspace temporarily. The development has affected multiple international carriers and transit hubs, particularly Dubai, a key connection point for teams returning home after the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.

Inputs from Agency