The first contingent of the Zimbabwe national cricket team has officially departed from India, ending a period of localized uncertainty following the conclusion of their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The squad, led by Sikandar Raza, had been unexpectedly stranded in New Delhi after their scheduled return via Dubai was canceled due to the sudden closure of Gulf airspace. This disruption, triggered by escalating geopolitical conflict and military strikes in the Middle East, left several international teams in a logistical limbo. In response, the International Cricket Council (ICC) activated emergency contingency plans, working alongside global carriers to bypass the restricted zones and establish a safe passage for the “Chevrons” through an alternative transit hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirmed via an official statement that the return journey is being executed in batches to accommodate available flight capacity and the complexities of the new routing. While the first group of players and support staff left on Wednesday, the remaining members of the delegation are slated to fly out by Friday afternoon. The delay followed a spirited tournament run for Zimbabwe, who made headlines with historic group-stage victories over Australia and Sri Lanka before being eliminated in the Super Eight stage after a narrow defeat to South Africa. Despite the frustration of being grounded in Delhi for several days, the board reassured fans that the entire contingent remained safe and well-accommodated throughout the ordeal, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the ICC and local authorities.
The travel chaos has not been limited to Zimbabwe; the West Indies squad found themselves in a similar predicament, remaining stationed in Kolkata while waiting for their own rerouted travel arrangements to be finalized. The situation underscored the massive logistical challenges of hosting a global sporting event during periods of international instability. For the Zimbabwe players, the focus now shifts from the tactical lessons of the World Cup to a much-anticipated homecoming. As the final batch prepares to depart on March 6, the successful coordination of these alternate air routes marks a significant relief for both the players and the organizers, ensuring that the focus remains on their on-field achievements rather than off-field travel complications.