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  "path": "/sport/cricket/england-jonny-bairstow-iran-missiles",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-01T09:52:13.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Leeds United's potential punishments after fans booed Ramadan break during Premier League match with Man City",
    "Tennis star banned for six years and nine months after admitting 30 breaches of the rules",
    "Graeme Souness trapped in Abu Dhabi and unable to return to the UK after strikes from Iran",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter",
    "@britishembassyuae"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nJonny Bairstow has issued an urgent plea for assistance after becoming stranded in the United Arab Emirates with the England Lions squad as military conflict engulfs the Middle East.\n\nThe former England wicketkeeper, currently serving as a coach under Andrew Flintoff on the Lions tour, reached out via social media on Sunday morning seeking information about the deteriorating situation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"If anyone has any intel in Dubai please reach out. Keep safe,\" he posted initially.\n\nBairstow subsequently directed his appeal towards the highest levels of government, tagging both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the British Embassy in the UAE.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n\"If anyone has any intel in Dubai please reach out... Stay safe... @britishembassyuae @keirstarmer,\" he wrote.\n\nThe touring party comprises 25 individuals, including both players and coaching staff.\n\nThe crisis erupted after US and Israeli forces launched what they termed a \"pre-emptive\" strike against Iran on Saturday morning, targeting what they claimed was Tehran's nuclear weapons programme.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint military operation.\n\nIran responded with retaliatory missile attacks directed at Israel and multiple nations across the Middle East region.\n\nLoud explosions were reported near Dubai and over Doha as Iranian forces struck neighbouring Gulf states.\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Leeds United's potential punishments after fans booed Ramadan break during Premier League match with Man City\n  * Tennis star banned for six years and nine months after admitting 30 breaches of the rules\n  * Graeme Souness trapped in Abu Dhabi and unable to return to the UK after strikes from Iran\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIsrael announced a further wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, with blasts continuing for a second consecutive day.\n\nThe escalating violence prompted the England Lions to abandon their scheduled second 50-over fixture against Pakistan Shaheens at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday evening, citing security concerns.\n\nThe England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the match cancellation on Saturday evening, acting on official Government guidance.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,\" the ECB stated.\n\nThe governing body said it was maintaining contact with security experts and Government officials regarding developments in the region and following official advice.\n\nBeyond scrapping the Abu Dhabi fixture, the ECB announced that England Women's planned departure for their own trip to the UAE next week had been postponed.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe board indicated it would continue monitoring the situation and official guidance to determine the future of both tours.\n\nHowever, the England Men's senior squad will proceed with their scheduled journey to Mumbai for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup semi-final.\n\nDubai International Airport, the world's busiest international hub, sustained damage during Iran's attacks and remained closed on Sunday morning, creating one of the most severe aviation disruptions in recent years.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAirports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were also struck, with thousands of flights affected across the region according to flight-tracking platform FlightAware.\n\nAirspace above Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar was virtually empty, as shown by Flightradar24 mapping data early on Sunday.\n\nThe flight-tracking service reported that a Notice to Airmen had extended Iranian airspace closure until at least 8.30am on Tuesday.\n\nThe UK Foreign Office has instructed British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE to shelter in place immediately following reports of explosions throughout the region.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "England cricket coach issues plea for help on social media amid Iran missiles"
}