Kamran, Misbah, and Razzaque among 50 passengers stranded at Dubai Airport

Alongside over 50 Pakistani passengers, former cricketers Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaque, Umar Gul, and Misbah-ul-Haq were also stranded at Dubai Airport, where torrential rain and urban flooding disrupted air operation. 

The former cricketers were departing to Houston city of US via Dubai International Airport to attend the ceremony that was held in honour of the 2009 World Cup-winning team.

Kamran Akmal, in a video with former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, shared the hardship they have been facing for at least 27 hours, acknowledging the problems were emerging due to the rain but also said airlines’ staff were not cooperating with them. 

Akmal said airlines have been changing the schedule every 30 minutes. 

He also shared an aerial view of the air station where dozens of passengers were waiting to board the plane. Misbah-ul-Haq also acknowledged the situation and suggested: “to handle it in a better way.” 

Absolutely right.I know it’s challenging for @emirates but still they need to handle it in a better way.People travelling are stuck for more than two days without hotel accommodation.Everyone have to be in queues for more than half of the day just to talk to staff at counters. https://t.co/NfYVvjZCuv

— Misbah Ul Haq (@captainmisbahpk) April 18, 2024

Over 50 Pakistanis were waiting for their turn to board the flight designated to their homeland. These passengers travelled to Dubai from Madinah via Kuwait Airport after performing Umrah. 

According to BBC, operations at Dubai Airport remained severely disrupted as heavy rain continued in the UAE. However, some flights were resumed on Thursday but the air operation was not fully functioning. 

Authorities said they began to receive inbound flights at Terminal 1, but outbound flights continue to be delayed.