India is facing a delay in the departure of international cricket teams due to rising tensions in the Middle East. According to a cricket website, the South African and West Indies teams are expected to return to their respective countries by morning on March 10. The South African team will fly to Johannesburg on a chartered flight, while the West Indies team will head to Antigua. These two teams have been in Kolkata since being knocked out of the T20 World Cup. Initially, they were supposed to leave on Sunday afternoon, but a new plan was announced on Sunday evening.
The South African players, who were unhappy with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not making arrangements for their return to their country after the T20 World Cup, have left for New Zealand with the management team. They will participate in a five-match T20 series against New Zealand, which will begin on March 15. The delay in the teams’ departure was due to flight operations being suspended due to rising tensions in the Middle East.
The West Indies team, which lost to India in the Super Eight round last Sunday, has been in Kolkata since then. The South African team lost to New Zealand in the semifinal on March 4. The teams’ departure was delayed, and they were criticized by South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and David Miller for not being able to leave on time. The West Indies coach, Darren Sammy, and players have also expressed their disappointment.
Meanwhile, the English cricket team left Mumbai on Friday evening and returned home. In other news, the ICC meeting was postponed due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The National T20 Cricket Cup, which will feature 10 regional teams, will begin on March 10 in Peshawar. Pakistan’s cricket team’s former fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, has responded to former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif’s comments, saying he earned his place in the team due to his performance, not just his fielding.
The Pakistani hockey team has been congratulated by the President and Prime Minister for qualifying for the World Cup after a long hiatus. The ICC T20 World Cup final will be played between India and New Zealand on March 12 in Ahmedabad. The T20 cricket teams have also been affected by the rising tensions in the Middle East.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed its desire not to get involved in any conflict or tension. The UAE Ministry of Defense has reported that 4 people have died in the Iranian attacks, including Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationals. Over 1900 people have been injured in Israel since the war with Iran began. The Pakistani community in Dubai has been asked to refrain from sharing irresponsible content on social media.
Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has criticized the government for not reducing its expenses, saying the government has burdened the public with fuel prices, and the provincial government refuses to increase the price of fuel. He suggested that the federal government should reduce its expenditures instead of burdening the public.
