Dubai Attack: England's star batter Johnny Bairstow, who is currently in Abu Dhabi with the England Lions team as their coach, has asked the UK's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to help them get back home due to the ongoing Middle East war. The United Arab Emirates media has revealed that one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, but didn't reveal much.
People in Abu Dhabi had heard loud explosions across the city, according to a Reuters report. Many citizens also received phone alerts telling them to go to the nearest safe building and to stay away from windows due to missile threats.
Starmer took to his official X account on Thursday to comment on the situation in Iran, and Bairstow replied to his post in the early hours of Sunday morning.
ALSO READ: Zimbabwe vs South Africa, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Will Delhi Weather Play Spoilsport?
The England and Wales Cricket Board had released a statement on Saturday and 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".
Pakistan Shaheens and England Lions were scheduled to play a 50-over match on Sunday, but it has now been called off, according to the statement.
A citizen told Reuters she had heard five explosions that shook the windows of her house near Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Citizens in Al Dhafra and Al Bateen also heard loud blasts, while fighter jets were seen flying over Yas Island on Saturday.
The UAE Air Force and the US Air Force are currently using Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi. At the same time, Dubai's Jebel Ali port is currently being used by the US Navy, where America's aircraft carriers and other naval vessels are being hosted to target Iran.