ECB cancel England Lions tour amid escalating security situation in UAE

The ECB has cancelled England Lions' ongoing tour of the UAE following US-Israeli air strikes on Iran and is working to get players and staff back to the UK. The England women's team's planned training camp in the region has also been ruled out. The Lions were participating in a white-ball series against the Pakistan Shaheens, but the second of five one-day matches was postponed over the weekend. The remaining three games are currently on hold. An ECB statement said: "The remainder of the England Men's Lions' tour has been cancelled, and we are working to get everyone home as soon as possible. "Due to the instability throughout the Gulf, we have ruled out the possibility of the England Women's T20 World Cup camp taking place in Abu Dhabi. "Over the weekend we started work on alternative options that will enable England Women to achieve the same outcomes, and we'll keep you informed as soon as we finalise a new plan." The closure of airspace in West Asia as a result of the conflict has affected thousands of flights to and from the region, with Zimbabwe's departure from India after their involvement in the Men's T20 World Cup delayed. In addition, the West Indies stated on Monday that their players were compelled to remain in place following their final game.