Geopolitical flare-ups in the Middle East have upended travel plans for Zimbabwe’s cricket squad following their T20 World Cup 2026 exit. The ICC has swiftly arranged a detour via Ethiopia, ensuring the team’s safe passage back to Harare.
Their tournament run concluded dramatically on Sunday at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, where South Africa chased down the target with five wickets in hand during the Super-8 stage. Initial plans had the team flying out Monday morning in phases from Delhi to Dubai, then onwards.
Bombardments involving Iran, Israel, and the US prompted mass flight cancellations across UAE hubs. Zimbabwe Cricket announced the pivot: ‘Teams are dispersing in multiple groups owing to altered paths and availability. First batch departed Wednesday; final one sets off Friday noon.’
Shifting transit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines now handles the journey for players and staff. West Indies encountered identical woes after wrapping up in Kolkata, prompting similar ICC interventions.
As international boards collaborate, this episode underscores the vulnerabilities of global sports travel. Yet, the proactive measures by ICC affirm commitment to player welfare, turning potential stranding into structured homecomings.