Jonny Bairstow stranded in Dubai amid Middle East conflict as he denies England Lions links

3 Mar 2026 • 2:49 AM MYT
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Jonny Bairstow has clarified that he is not with the England Lions squad in Abu Dhabi after reports suggested otherwise.

The former England batter revealed he is in Dubai with his young family and is currently attempting to leave the region.

Widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures have followed escalating unrest in the Middle East involving Iran.

Bairstow’s situation reflects broader travel disruption affecting thousands of British nationals.

Jonny Bairstow denies England Lions links as he reveals he is stranded in Dubai

Bairstow addressed speculation about his involvement with the England Lions directly on social media.

“For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team… I am not. I am with my young family in Dubai,” he wrote.

“I’m sure the England Lions security staff will be doing all they can to get them out of Abu Dhabi. I am trying to keep my family safe and get us out of here!!”

The 287-cap England international had earlier appealed publicly for assistance.

On Saturday, he directed a message to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asking, “Can you get us home?”

He later contacted airline Emirates after a cancelled flight and what he described as a lack of communication.

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Photo by Jan Kruger – ECB/ECB via Getty Images

England Lions tour disrupted as Middle East conflict grounds flights

The unrest has also impacted the England Lions, who were touring in Abu Dhabi.

A scheduled tour match against Pakistan Shaheens on Sunday was cancelled amid ongoing uncertainty.

Airspace closures introduced after attacks began on Saturday have led to numerous grounded commercial flights across the region.

Reports indicate more than 100,000 Britons registered in the Middle East could require assistance if disruption continues.

Bairstow’s clarification separates his situation from that of the Lions squad, though both are affected by the same regional instability.