The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
WHILE everyone was worried about their safety, the 11 Zimbabwean cricketers who were in Afghanistan for the Shpageeza T20 tournament were keeping it cool.
There were genuine fears over the safety of the locals after a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the Kabul International Cricket Stadium last Wednesday.
The blast killed three people and injured 12 others. Zimbabwe Cricket reacted by calling the 11 players – Tendai Chatara, Solomon Mire, Richard Ngarava, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Vusi Sibanda, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chisoro, Richmond Mutumbami and Hamilton Masakadza – back home.
And as the lads waited for their flight bookings to be finalised, some of them told The Sunday Mail that they were unmoved by the incident. “Everyone is good,” said one of the players. “It’s a tricky situation as you know we are contracted to ZC and cannot be saying much, but we are okay.
“We were always under tight security this side. There was an hour of training on non-match days and after that training it was a drive back to the hotel, just 10 minutes away.” “It’s worrying a bit but there is no moment I really felt like my life was in danger,” added another player.
Zimbabwe Cricket spokesman Darlington Majonga revealed that they had contacted the players who also gave them assurances about their safety. “All the guys are safe, I can tell you that we have revoked the No Objection Certificates we granted them. ZC will not under any circumstances compromise on matters of player safety.
“We are in the process of getting the players back home,” he said. The players are expected to start arriving back home this weekend after leaving the Asian country in batches.
The trio of Sibanda, Sikandar Raza and Burl was in action for the Mis Ainak Knights when the blast occurred, resulting in the immediate stoppage of the match which, however, resumed after security checks.
The Afghanistan T20 also featured other foreign players from South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, Oman and Sri Lanka.
It is scheduled to conclude on September 22.
