ECB in touch with government as Lions squad in UAE

The England Lions squad are “following official advice” in the United Arab Emirates after Iran launched attacks throughout the Middle East in response to American and Israeli strikes across its territory.

English cricket’s governing body said in a statement it was in contact with “security experts and the government” and that the safety and security of its teams was the “top priority”.

The Lions – England’s development team, led by Andrew Flintoff – are in the UAE for matches against Pakistan Shaheens.

They were due to play the second of those matches in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, but that has now been cancelled.

The touring party – including 25 players and coaches – travelled to Abu Dhabi but are now unable to leave as the UAE’s airspace is closed, with a number of airlines cancelling flights in the region.

The UK Foreign Office has urged British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE to immediately shelter in place following reports of explosions.

England women were scheduled to fly to Abu Dhabi for a training camp on Wednesday but that trip has been postponed.

The England men’s T20 World Cup team will fly from Sri Lanka to Mumbai on Sunday as planned.

After the US and Israel launched their large-scale attack on Saturday, Iran began retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and other sites in the Middle East.

A spokesperson for 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.

The International Cricket Council said earlier on Saturday it had “activated contingency plans” to “safeguard the travel, logistics and well-being of all stakeholders” at the T20 World Cup.

The tournament is being held in India and Sri Lanka but teams, including England, are scheduled to fly through the Middle East at the end of the competition.

West Indies are scheduled to fly through Dubai’s airport on Monday, should they be eliminated on Sunday.

Elsewhere, football’s world governing body said it would “monitor developments” in the Middle East.

The US are co-hosts of this summer’s World Cup, which Iran have qualified for. The tournament runs from 11 June-19 July.

“We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world,” said Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom on Saturday.

Formula 1 also said it was “closely monitoring” the situation, with races scheduled in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April.