ECB cancel England Lions fixture amid escalating security situation in UAE

Following the United States' military strikes on Iran, the ECB says they are in contact with UK government and security officials. They also say that the safety of their players and staff in the Middle East, including the England Lions Men's squad in Abu Dhabi, is their "top priority." On Tuesday, the Lions were scheduled to take on the Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi for the second of three 50-over matches. Iranian counterstrikes on targets throughout the region, including the Palm Jumeirah resort in Dubai, have resulted in the cancellation of that match. The England Women's training camp, which was scheduled to begin next week in Abu Dhabi, has been postponed. The ICC confirmed that it is also monitoring the "evolving situation," and England's T20I squad, which is scheduled to play in the T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday, has been cleared to travel to Mumbai as scheduled. "The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority," stated a spokesperson for the ECB. In relation to the current events in the Middle East, we are following official advice and are in contact with security experts as well as the government. "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 evaluate the situation as well as official guidance regarding the upcoming trips. According to schedule, the England Men will travel to Mumbai for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup semi-final."