Cricket Australia confirms charter flight for players to get out of Pakistan

Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed a charter flight from Pakistan to Dubai was organised for Australian cricketers scrambling to leave the country, amid escalating tensions with India.

The sporting body told ABC News it was the only way out of the country, as airports remain closed.

The Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League have both been suspended, and their future is in doubt amid the ongoing conflict.

IPL tournament suspended amid India-Pakistan conflict Photo shows Cricketer Mitchell Starc with teammates wait for an umpire decision. The IPL will reportedly be postponed due to the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan.

It's unclear when exactly some of the country's most high-profile players will land in Australia, with many having to organise their own commercial flights.

"Players are not managed by Cricket Australia when competing in overseas franchises, and therefore the travel arrangements are their own," Media Advisor Cole Hitchcock told ABC News.

Cricket Australia says it has been in contact with all players regarding their safety and wellbeing, adding that the majority of players are either already home or on their way.

"CA and the ACA are assisting, as you would expect, and have been in contact with all players," Mr Hitchcock said.

The Pakistan Super League has been moved to Dubai, with six Australians featuring in that competition.

Australian players in the PSL include Matt Short, Ben Dwarshuis, Riley Meredith, David Warner, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Mitchell Owen, Max Bryant, and Sean Abbott.

The PSL's move is expected to clear the path for overseas players to see out the tournament.

Player safety is the priority, says CA

"The safety and welfare of our players and staff is always a core priority and we support today's decision by the BCCI," Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said.

"We continue to work closely with the Australian Government, PCB and BCCI and are maintaining regular communication with players and support staff in both India and Pakistan."

Some Australian players were understood to be keen to exit the country, but were also concerned around what it could mean for future chances if they did quit the league before it was suspended.

Pat Cummins in action. (Reuters: Amit Dave)

Test captain Pat Cummins, fellow quicks Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and star batter Travis Head are among the Australians featuring in the tournament.

Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians still playing, while numerous compatriots are also represented within coaching staff and media covering the competition.

For Test players, the suspension is likely to mean unexpected time at home before next month's World Test Championship final in England and a subsequent tour of the West Indies.

The need to suspend the tournament was made clear when air-raid warnings prompted the Ricky Ponting-coached Punjab Kings' match against Starc's Delhi side to be abandoned on Thursday night as the stadium was evacuated.

Airports in Dharamsala and Chandigarh — where the Kings are based — have been closed for civilian and commercial use since Wednesday, while others across India's north-western corridor are also out of bounds to the cricketers.

ABC/AAP

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