The International Cricket Council (ICC) has moved to reassure players and support staff stranded in India following the Men’s T20 World Cup, confirming that repatriation flights are now underway amid disruptions to air travel caused by Middle East tensions.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the governing body acknowledged the “genuine frustration” felt by players, coaches and their families who were unable to return home after completing their campaigns.
The delay is a direct result of the escalating crisis in the Gulf region, which has thrown international air traffic into disarray.
The ICC described the disruption as including airspace closures, re-routing restrictions and large-scale cancellations and rescheduling of commercial and charter flights at short notice.
It stressed that these conditions were “completely beyond the ICC’s control” and had rendered each travel solution “significantly more complex and time-consuming”.
“ICC continues to engage with airlines, charter operators, airport authorities, ground handlers and government stakeholders in multiple jurisdictions to expedite safe domestic travel for all affected groups,” the statement said. “That’s a work in progress.”
With all members expected to depart within the next 36 hours, the council confirmed that the South African team is scheduled to begin its own trip from tonight.
Meanwhile, nine members of the West Indies squad are already on their way to the Caribbean while the remaining 16 players are booked on flights departing India within the next 24 hours. Further announcements regarding other teams will be made as soon as arrangements are completed.
The ICC strongly denied suggestions in some media that its decisions were influenced by factors other than security and welfare.
It stressed that there was no connection between the arrangements made for South Africa and the West Indies and those previously made for the UK, as each case involved “unique circumstances, routing options and different travel conditions”.
“The ICC rejects the suggestion that these decisions were motivated by anything other than safety, feasibility and welfare,” the statement added. “Suggestions on various media sites from people who don’t know about the situation don’t help as they are inaccurate.”
Reiterating its commitment to those affected, including players traveling with spouses and young children, the ICC assured that its teams are working 24 hours a day and are in constant touch with team managers as the situation evolves.
“We will not move people until we are satisfied that the travel solution is safe, and that commitment will not change,” it said.