ECB Cancels England Lions Match, Postpones Women's Camp Over Security

London—The England and Wales Cricket Board has cancelled Tuesday’s England Lions 50-over fixture against Pakistan Shaheens and postponed the senior women’s training camp in Abu Dhabi after a sharp escalation in military activity across West Asia, the governing body confirmed on Monday.

The Lions, a 25-player squad led by coach Andrew Flintoff, remain in the United Arab Emirates after the country’s airspace was closed following a missile strike on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah resort, part of retaliatory exchanges between the United States and Iran. The second of five scheduled matches between the Lions and Pakistan Shaheens, due to be played in Abu Dhabi, will not take place.

An ECB spokesperson said the board had taken the decision after consulting UK government officials and regional security experts. “The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” the spokesperson said. “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.”

The England Women’s training camp, pencilled in to begin next week at the same venue, has been put on hold while the situation is reviewed. No new dates have been announced for either the Lions match or the women’s camp.

The developments do not affect England’s senior men’s T20 side, who have been cleared to fly to Mumbai ahead of Thursday’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final. The International Cricket Council stated it is “actively monitoring the evolving situation in the region and maintaining contact with member boards.”

The ECB reiterated that all future travel and fixture decisions will be guided by continuing security assessments and official UK government advice.