Image credit: Jonny Bairstow’s Instagram page.

NEW DELHI: England wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow has voiced serious concerns about his family’s safety after being stranded in Dubai amid rising military tensions in the Middle East. Commercial departures from the United Arab Emirates have been halted following missile and drone strikes launched by Iran, leaving thousands unable to travel. The attacks are reportedly in response to joint Israeli and US operations in Tehran that led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday.Bairstow, 36, had travelled to Dubai for a family holiday and took to social media to clarify that he is not with the England Lions, contrary to speculation. The wicketkeeper-batter described the distress of trying to ensure his family’s safety while seeking a route back to the UK.

“For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team…I am not. I am with my young family in Dubai…sure the England Lions security staff will be doing all they can to get them out of Abu Dhabi, but I am trying to keep my family safe and get us out of here!!” he wrote on X on Monday.A day earlier, Bairstow had appealed publicly to Emirates airline after his flight was cancelled. “We haven’t had any communication post-flight, getting cancelled. Tried the lines of communication, but nothing. Could someone please be in contact?” he posted.He also responded directly to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the government’s statement on the crisis, writing, “Can you get us home???”On Saturday, Britain’s Foreign Office updated its travel advisory for the UAE as the security situation deteriorated. The guidance now reads: “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in the UAE should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel, and follow instructions from the local authorities.”The instability has also disrupted England’s cricketing schedule. The England Lions called off their 50-over fixture against Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. England women’s cricket team postponed their departure for a training camp in the Emirates, while the England cricket team are closely monitoring developments before travelling home from the T20 World Cup in India, a journey that was due to route through Dubai.In a statement issued on Saturday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said, “The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the Government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.“Tomorrow’s second 50-over game between England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead, and we are delaying the departure of England Women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.”

Several international sports personalities have been left stranded in the Middle East after Iran launched missile strikes across the region on Saturday. The attacks came in response to what the United States and Israel described as a “pre-emptive” strike that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Follow LIVE | Iran Israel War

Following the assassination, Iran fired missiles targeting Israel and multiple countries in the Middle East, where American bases are located. Explosions were reported in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. In Dubai, major landmarks like the Fairmont The Palm and the Burj Al Arab were hit.

Dubai International Airport, known as the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, was also struck during the attacks, which eventually resulted in the closure of airspace across the region. This led to several big names from across the sporting world getting stuck and not being able to leave.

Sports stars stranded in Middle East amid war

Among those affected is former world No.1 tennis player Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev had just won the ATP’s Dubai Championships and was preparing to travel to the United States for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. However, he got stuck in his hotel room after flights were grounded.

“The situation is unusual, but basically, the only thing is that the airspace is closed, naturally. So, no one knows when we’ll be able to fly out. It’s not clear whether this will last long or not. We’re just waiting to see what happens in the coming hours or days. They keep gradually pushing back the airport reopening time,” he told Bolshe Tennis.

England cricketer Jonny Bairstow is also trapped in Dubai. Bairstow, who is on holiday with his family, took to social media to ask UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he could help them return home. He later appealed for any information from people in Dubai and urged everyone to stay safe.

Can you get us home???

— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) February 28, 2026

England Test captain Ben Stokes and former all-rounder Andrew Flintoff are currently in Abu Dhabi with the England Lions squad. Their scheduled match against Pakistan Shaheens was cancelled due to the security situation in the region. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is trying to get the players out with the help of the government.

Former Liverpool legend Graeme Souness also shared updates from Abu Dhabi Airport. In a video posted on Instagram, he described hearing loud explosions while waiting to board his flight back to the UK. He said anti-missile systems were intercepting missiles in the area.

Meanwhile, former Olympic medalist
PV Sindhu is the biggest Indian name stranded in Dubai at the moment. She described her ordeal as a frightening experience after her coach nearly survived a bomb scare while travelling to the All England Open via the UAE.

The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour.

A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport. My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was closest to the smoke and debris. It was an… https://t.co/ZdNtuALk0P

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) March 1, 2026

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mushfiqur Rahim is also stuck in the region. He had travelled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage, but got stuck after flights were grounded as a precautionary measure.

“Unfortunately due to the war between USA, ISRAEL AND IRAN all the flight has return to Jeddah and now i am in jeddah airpot including thoushand of passengers…when and how we will able to go to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshi people,” Rahim wrote on his Facebook page.