Dubai, March 11 The ICC expressed sympathy for the international players stranded in India after the T20 World Cup, but criticized "misinformed and unhelpful" suggestions that "anything other than safety" is driving the travel plans that have been thrown into disarray by the conflict in West Asia.
The war, which began with the American and Israeli bombing of Iran last month, has led to the closure of airspace over the Gulf, leaving flight schedules in chaos.
The ICC said it empathizes with the stranded players, particularly from South Africa and the West Indies, but that "safety, feasibility, and welfare" are being carefully considered when drawing up alternative routes.
The ICC said that the South African contingent had begun departing for home on Wednesday, with "four players and five family members having boarded the flight".
"All 29 remaining members of their contingent are scheduled to depart within the next 24 hours," the ICC said in a statement.
"Of the West Indies contingent, nine members have departed for the Caribbean, while the remaining 16 are booked on flights departing from India within the next 12 hours."
This followed the cancellation of their charter flight, which was scheduled to take off from Kolkata due to logistical issues.
The ICC faced criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan and South African star David Miller, who insinuated that England players were given better travel arrangements because they were able to leave within a day of their semifinal loss. Before this, West Indies coach Darren Sammy had expressed frustration at the lack of updates from the world body.
The ICC responded without specifically naming anyone.
"The ICC rejects any suggestion that these decisions have been driven by anything other than safety, feasibility, and welfare. Suggestions otherwise, from people uninformed of the situation, are as unhelpful as they are incorrect," said the world governing body of cricket.
"There is no link between the arrangements made for South Africa and the West Indies and those made previously for England or any other nation, which arose from separate circumstances, routing options, and different travel conditions," it added.
West Indies and South Africa played their final games in Kolkata on March 1 and March 4, respectively. The ICC's airline partner is Emirates, and they are unable to operate due to the closure of the Dubai airspace.
"We understand that players, coaches, support staff, and their families who have completed their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns are anxious to return home.
"The fact that they have not yet been able to do so is a source of genuine frustration, and the International Cricket Council shares that frustration," the world body said.
"The delay is the direct result of the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region, which has caused widespread and continuing disruption to international air travel, including airspace closures, missile warnings, re-routing constraints, as well as the cancellation and rescheduling of both commercial and charter flights at short notice," it added.
The ICC said that, due to the current situation, which is outside its control, each travel solution has become significantly more "complex and time-consuming than under normal circumstances".
The ICC said it is continuing to liaise with tour operators and airlines to ensure that all players reach home safely.
"Throughout this period, the ICC's overriding priority has been the safety and welfare of everyone affected, including players travelling with spouses and young children. We will not move people until we are satisfied that the travel solution in place is safe, and that commitment will not change," it said.
The ICC also urged the respective cricket boards and players to remain patient as they manage the flights back home and find the best possible solutions amid the evolving situation in West Asia.
"The ICC confirms that we are managing all additional logistics, including accommodation, as a result of these unforeseen travel disruptions, and the ICC again thanks the two Member nations, their players, families, and staff for their patience as we ensure their safe transit home," it said.