The Sunday Mail
Deputy Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) seem to have done their homework for the safe return of action, or at the very least preparing for next month’s tour of Pakistan, and all that is left is the green light from the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
ZC chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani reckons “it’s a matter of when and not if” the tour will proceed.
“We remain hopeful that we will indeed receive word from the Government, through the Sports (and Recreation) Commission, soon, and honestly don’t really see why we shouldn’t get the go-ahead.
“The country has opened up, with inter-city buses operating now; the numbers (of Covid-19 infections) have somewhat begun to stabilise and most importantly cricket is now being played again internationally,” he said.
Time remains the Chevrons biggest obstacle as the tour is fast approaching.
So long as there is no word from Government, the team will remain without their leader Lalchand Rajput.
Pakistan has indicated that the series will be held in a bio-secure bubble.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, is yet to finalise the standard operating procedures that will be followed during the series.
There are questions on the period Zimbabwean players will have to spend in quarantine.
“It is true that time is not on our side, as the series will be held in a bio-secure bubble and we might be required to travel to Pakistan earlier than the October 20 start of the series.
“However, all things being equal, and like I said earlier, we remain hopeful that we will indeed get the green light, and get it soon.
“Once we get approval, the Chevrons’ Lalchand Rajput will then join the team.
“He is currently in Mumbai,” said Mukuhlani.
The approval is likely to come as good news for the Chevrons, which has already started training.
The team’s skipper, Chamu Chibhabha, has had quite the year so far.
What was supposed to be a year of promise and great expectation, having been installed white-ball skipper, has been ruined by the pandemic.
The pandemic and lack of cricket action has left the 34-year-old frustrated.
“It has been frustrating, but it is what it is.
“We do not really know if we are going to play some cricket, whether it be club cricket or the tour to Pakistan.
“However, we remain positive and hope for the best.
“There are many positives from our return; the guys are happy to be back and together again, the team morale is high and it has been good to get some collective sessions in.
“Now, we just have to be patient and hope we get clearance soon, as there is so much one can do in the nets. We need to get some game situations in.
“Our return so far has been confined to net sessions, but I hope we will get in a game or two before we play Pakistan,” Chibhabha said.
