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England cricketer Jonny Bairstow says he isn’t with the England Lions squad in Dubai contrary to claims.
Jonny Bairstow stuck in Dubai along with his family amid the continued conflict. (PTI Photo)
England cricketer Jonny Bairstow has refuted reports that claimed he’s with the England Lions squad in currently in UAE for a now cancelled tour following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Bairstow said he’s in Dubai along with his family and is trying to seek out a way out of the town.
The wicketkeeper-batter was holidaying in Dubai when the conflict erupted leading to the closure of airspace in West Asia because it grounded 1000’s of flights within the region.
“For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team… I’m not,” Bairstow wrote. “I’m with my young family in Dubai…sure the England Lions security staff will probably be doing all they will to get them out of Abu Dhabi but I’m attempting to keep my family protected and get us out of here!!”
For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team… I’m not.I’m with my young family in Dubai…sure the England Lions security staff will probably be doing all they will to get them out of Abu Dhabi but I’m attempting to keep my family protected and get us out of here!!— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) March 2, 2026
The England Lions were playing a white-ball series with Pakistan Shaheens. Following the military strikes and Iran’s retaliation, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cancelled the tour after only one match.
“The security and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” ECB said in a press release on Saturday.
In a fresh statement, the ECB later announced that their women’s cricket team’s camp for the upcoming T20 World Cup has also been cancelled.
“The rest of the England Men’s Lions’ tour has been cancelled, and we’re working to get everyone home as soon as possible. We have now ruled out the opportunity of England Women’s T20 World Cup camp going down in Abu Dhabi given the instability across the Gulf,” ECB said.
“Over the weekend we began work on alternative options that may enable England Women to attain the identical outcomes, and we’ll keep you informed as soon as we finalise a brand new plan,” it added.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has indicated that the conflict could last weeks and that U.S. has “the aptitude to go far longer” than its projected four-to-five-week timeframe for its military operations against Iran.
March 03, 2026, 09:15 IST
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