Zimbabwe cricket team finally flying home after airspace restrictions amid conflict in West Asia

Zimbabwe Cricket said on Wednesday that the country’s men’s team is now travelling back home after taking part in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The return trip was delayed because of travel disruptions, but the International Cricket Council arranged alternative flights to help the team get back.In a statement shared on X, the board said, "Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirms that the Zimbabwe senior men's team participating in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 are on their way home from India after the International Cricket Council secured alternative travel arrangements following recent transit disruptions.

"Due to flight availability and revised routing, the squad will return to Harare in batches. The first group of players departed India today, Wednesday, while the final group is scheduled to leave on Friday afternoon.

Further updates will be issued if necessary," the board added.Zimbabwe played their last match of the tournament against South Africa national cricket team on Sunday. The team had originally planned to fly back to Harare on Monday through Dubai.The players and support staff were booked on Emirates flights from Delhi to Dubai and then to Harare. However, the plan changed after tensions in West Asia caused several countries to close their airspace, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute flights.

The disruption followed missile exchanges involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Because of the situation, many international flights were affected, especially those passing through Dubai, which is a major transit hub for teams travelling home after the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.