DUBAI, May 11: A wave of palpable relief swept through the Dubai International Airport early Saturday as foreign players evacuated from Pakistan touched down safely, following days of growing panic fuelled by rising military tensions in the region.
Among them were Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, who had been participating in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). The duo was flown out amidst escalating fears sparked by cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan, which had resulted in disrupted air travel and nationwide anxiety.Speaking to the media after landing, a visibly relieved Rishad said, “Alhamdulillah, we’ve come through a crisis and reached Dubai safely. I’m feeling much better now.” The young spinner admitted the past few days in Pakistan were riddled with uncertainty, particularly after airspace restrictions grounded several flights, leaving players stranded and on edge.According to Rishad, the emotional toll of the ordeal was most visible on England’s Tom Curran. “He went to the airport only to find it closed. He broke down crying like a child. It took two or three people to calm him down,” Rishad revealed.The tension wasn’t limited to Curran. Players from across the globe—including New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, England’s Sam Billings, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, and South Africa’s David Wiese—were reportedly rattled by the volatile environment.“Everyone was scared. Mitchell told me after landing in Dubai that he’s never returning to Pakistan, at least not under such conditions,” said Rishad, who played for the Lahore Qalandars in the PSL. (Agencies)
