International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect due to failing to conduct free and democratic elections and to administrate without the government interference.
The ICC has taken this big decision on Thursday (18th July) at the ICC Annual Conference in London. Ahead of the Annual Conference, this suspension was very much expected.
Last month, Zimbabwe’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended the entire 13 members of Zimbabwe Cricket. SRC is a government body which earlier ordered to not organise the Zimbabwe Cricket’s election until a thorough investigation in fraud and mismanagement of money.
However, the Zimbabwe Cricket didn’t follow that order and re-elected Tavengwa Mukuhlani as the chairman of the board. Soon after that, the SRC suspended the Zimbabwe Cricket members and formed an interim committee to run the national cricket.
However, these actions were totally against the ICC Constitution. The Zimbabwe Cricket breached Article 2.4 (c) and (d) of the international governing body’s Constitution. So, the governing body has decided to suspend Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect.
It means that the Zimbabwe Cricket can’t receive the ICC funding anymore during the suspension period. Till the suspension period, all the Zimbabwe national teams also can’t participate in the ICC events.
So, Zimbabwe’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier, both in men’s and women’s cricket, is in jeopardy.
We must keep our sport free from political interference – ICC Chairman on the suspension of Zimbabwe Cricket
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said on this, “We do not take the decision to suspend a Member lightly, but we must keep our sport free from political interference. What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC Constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked. The ICC wants cricket to continue in Zimbabwe in accordance with the ICC Constitution.”
The Zimbabwe Cricket is facing the financial crisis for a long time. Recently, it has become worse as they requested to the ICC for the additional financial help to clear dues of players and staffs. Now, the latest suspension has forced to make the Zimbabwe Cricket’s condition worsen.
According to the present international cricket schedule, Zimbabwe will tour of India in early January 2020. In that tour, Zimbabwe will play three-match T20I series against India from 5th to 10th January. However, this series is now under the cloud due to the latest suspension.