Jonny Bairstow and Freddie Flintoff’s England Lions stranded in Dubai and UAE

Jonny Bairstow asked for help on social media after finding himself stranded in Dubai.

Several countries across the Middle East found themselves targeted by retaliatory strikes from Iran over the weekend.

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US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a ‘pre-emptive’ strike.

Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were targeted, causing thousands of flights to be grounded.

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness said he is stranded in Abu Dhabi after hearing ‘loud explosions’.

Meanwhile, Richard Keys was taken off air by beIN Sports as explosions disrupted their football broadcast in Qatar.

What did Jonny Bairstow say?

Bairstow is in Dubai on holiday and posted on social media asking for help and information.

Bairstow wrote: “If anyone has any intel in Dubai please reach out. Keep safe.”

Tagging Sir Keir Starmer in a separate post, he added: “If anyone has any intel in Dubai please reach out… Stay safe… @britishembassyuae @keirstarmer.”

He later added: “@emirates we haven’t had any communication post flight getting cancelled. Tried the lines of communication but nothing. Could someone please be in contact.”

Speaking to talkSPORT on the situation, The Times cricket correspondent Lizzie Ammon said:  “At the moment, they are pretty much going to have to wait like everyone else. There just isn’t sort of a way out at the moment.

“Obviously lots of British people over there are trying to get out as well. There was a tweet earlier from Jonny Bairstow, who happens to be in Dubai at the moment with his family.

“He was asking for advice on how to get out. I think they’re just going to have to sit tight for the moment and see when the airspace might open or whether there are any alternative routes.

“One option is possibly you can drive to Oman, but it’s all very logistically complicated.”

England Lions in UAE

Freddie Flintoff’s England Lions team are also in the region to play several matches against Pakistan Shaheens.

The second of those matches in Abu Dhabi has been cancelled due to security concerns.

England captain Ben Stokes is also with the team in a coaching capacity.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Saturday evening that following official government advice, the planned game at the Zayed Cricket Stadium would now not take place, with the travel arrangements for England Women’s trip to Abu Dhabi next week also delayed.

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“The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” a statement from the ECB read.

“We are in contact with security experts and the government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.

“Tomorrow’s second 50-over game between England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead, and we are delaying the departure of England Women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.

“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips.

“England Men will travel to Mumbai for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final as planned.”

The England Lions team are believed to be confined to their hotel as they await further information.

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Ammon added: “So they are in their hotel. They’ve been advised by the government to stay put. They’re all safe as we understand it. But the ECB are obviously working really closely with the government.

“They will, one assumes, try to get them out as soon as they possibly can. At the moment the airspace is shut, so they’re just in their hotel.

“They’ll have to stay there for the moment, but it’s pretty unlikely that the rest of that series will go ahead.”