Pakistan Shaheens players were forced to take shelter in the basement of their hotel after drones reportedly hit an area close to where the team was staying in Abu Dhabi.
The incident raised serious safety concerns for the players and support staff. Reports indicated that the team was staying in a hotel near the location of the drone strikes, prompting the squad to move to the basement as a precaution.
Following the situation, a Pakistani journalist appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take urgent notice of the matter. The journalist stated that the Pakistan Shaheens team deserves special government attention due to the security scare and the risks faced by the players while abroad.
Pakistan Shaheen team deserves special government attention as they are stuck in a hotel close to which drones have hit … team took shelter in the basement.. pls attend this issue @CMShehbaz
— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) March 3, 2026
The appeal came a day after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the series between Pakistan Shaheens and England Lions in Abu Dhabi had been called off.
The ECB said the decision was mutually agreed upon following ongoing security developments in the Middle East region and after consultations between the two cricket boards.
Due to the escalating situation in Abu Dhabi and the wider region, it was decided that no further matches would be played in the series, which was scheduled to include three T20 matches and five 50-over matches.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that the safety, security, and wellbeing of the players and support staff remain the highest priority. The board also said it is in constant contact with the team management and players to ensure appropriate measures are in place to bring the team back to Pakistan safely.
