Image credit: Jonny Bairstow’s Instagram page.
New Delhi: England goalkeeper Jonny Bairstow has expressed serious concerns for the safety of his family after they were stranded in Dubai amid rising military tensions in the Middle East. Commercial departures from the UAE have been halted following missile and drone strikes by Iran, leaving thousands unable to travel.
These attacks were 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 traveled to Dubai for a family holiday and took to social media to clarify that he is not with the English Lions, contrary to speculation. The wicketkeeper-batsman described the distress caused by trying to ensure the safety of his family while searching for his way back to the UK.
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“For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team… I’m not. I’m with my little family in Dubai… Of course the England Lions security staff will do everything in their power to get them out of Abu Dhabi, but I’m trying to keep my family safe and get us out of here!!,” he wrote on X on Monday.A day earlier, Bairstow had publicly appealed to Emirates Airlines after his flight was cancelled. “We had no contact after the flight, and it was cancelled.
I tried calling lines but nothing. Can someone be in touch?” he posted.
He also responded directly to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the government’s statement on the crisis, writing: “Can you bring us home???”
On Saturday, the British Foreign Office updated its advice for traveling to the United Arab Emirates as the security situation deteriorated. The guidance now states: “Due to the reported missile attacks, British nationals in the UAE should immediately shelter in place.
Stay indoors in a safe place, avoid travel, and follow the instructions of local authorities.The instability has also disrupted England’s cricket schedule. The England Lions canceled their 50th match against Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The England women’s cricket team has postponed its departure for a training camp in the UAE, as the England women’s cricket team closely monitors developments before traveling home from the T20 World Cup in India, a trip that was due to pass 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 liaising with security and government experts regarding current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.”“The second 50-over match tomorrow between the England Lions men’s team and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead and we are postponing the departure of the England women’s team for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.”