News | Sports
16 May 2025 8:24
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Sports

    Cricket Australia confirms charter flight for players to get out of Pakistan

    The sporting body told ABC News it was the only way out of the country, as airports remain closed.


    Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed a charter flight from Pakistan to Dubai was organised for Australian cricketers scrambling to leave the country, amid escalating tensions with India.

    The sporting body told ABC News it was the only way out of the country, as airports remain closed.

    The Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League have both been suspended, and their future is in doubt amid the ongoing conflict.

    It's unclear when exactly some of the country's most high-profile players will land in Australia, with many having to organise their own commercial flights.

    "Players are not managed by Cricket Australia when competing in overseas franchises, and therefore the travel arrangements are their own," Media Advisor Cole Hitchcock told ABC News.

    Cricket Australia says it has been in contact with all players regarding their safety and wellbeing, adding that the majority of players are either already home or on their way.

    "CA and the ACA are assisting, as you would expect, and have been in contact with all players," Mr Hitchcock said.

    The Pakistan Super League has been moved to Dubai, with six Australians featuring in that competition.

    Australian players in the PSL include Matt Short, Ben Dwarshuis, Riley Meredith, David Warner, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Mitchell Owen, Max Bryant, and Sean Abbott.

    The PSL's move is expected to clear the path for overseas players to see out the tournament.

    Player safety is the priority, says CA

    "The safety and welfare of our players and staff is always a core priority and we support today's decision by the BCCI," Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said.

    "We continue to work closely with the Australian Government, PCB and BCCI and are maintaining regular communication with players and support staff in both India and Pakistan."

    Some Australian players were understood to be keen to exit the country, but were also concerned around what it could mean for future chances if they did quit the league before it was suspended.

    Test captain Pat Cummins, fellow quicks Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and star batter Travis Head are among the Australians featuring in the tournament.

    Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians still playing, while numerous compatriots are also represented within coaching staff and media covering the competition.

    For Test players, the suspension is likely to mean unexpected time at home before next month's World Test Championship final in England and a subsequent tour of the West Indies.

    The need to suspend the tournament was made clear when air-raid warnings prompted the Ricky Ponting-coached Punjab Kings' match against Starc's Delhi side to be abandoned on Thursday night as the stadium was evacuated.

    Airports in Dharamsala and Chandigarh — where the Kings are based — have been closed for civilian and commercial use since Wednesday, while others across India's north-western corridor are also out of bounds to the cricketers.

    ABC/AAP


    ABC




    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other Sports News
     16 May: To golf's Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina... Ryan Fox is one stroke off the clubhouse lead at the PGA Championship major after carding an opening round four-under par 67
     15 May: Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has allayed fears of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii missing any tests against the British and Irish Lions
     15 May: The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading to NBA basketball's western conference finals
     15 May: Cowboys coach Todd Payten has copped a final warning from the NRL for repeated and consistent criticism of match officials
     15 May: Stars coach Temepara Bailey has revealed she has aspirations to one day coach the Silver Ferns
     15 May: Former Silver Fern Donna Wilkins has some sympathy for her Mainland Tactix players amid a murky future for the ANZ Premiership competition
     15 May: Rory McIlroy is brushing off Bryson DeChambeau's comment about the pair not speaking during the final round of golf's Masters tournament last month
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has allayed fears of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii missing any tests against the British and Irish Lions More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Soaring food prices might be hard to swallow More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Soaring food prices might be hard to swallow 8:17

    Entertainment:
    Mel B is "always sad" just before her birthday 8:07

    Law and Order:
    Tottenham football captain Son Heung-min has filed a criminal complaint with the South Korean police as the victim of an alleged blackmail plot after a woman threatened him with a false pregnancy claim 8:07

    Cricket:
    To golf's Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina... Ryan Fox is one stroke off the clubhouse lead at the PGA Championship major after carding an opening round four-under par 67 8:07

    National:
    Pope Leo XIV’s link to Haiti is part of a broader American story of race, citizenship and migration 8:07

    Health & Safety:
    Israeli military strikes in Gaza kill at least 70 people, including local journalist and his family members 7:57

    Law and Order:
    A spate of car thefts in Wairarapa with 29 cars stolen in just two weeks 7:57

    Business:
    Fishing company Sanford says its moves to boost productivity are to thank, for doubling it's half year profit to 34 million dollars 7:47

    Law and Order:
    Two years since Wellington's fatal Loafers lodge fire 7:47

    Entertainment:
    Sarah Sherman "never meant to hurt" Aimee Lou Wood's feelings with her 'Saturday Night Live' sketch 7:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd